tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73206727369512411272024-02-18T22:02:47.419-05:00LMFAO BeautyMelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836722361602635171noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320672736951241127.post-949139918035366672011-06-29T12:00:00.000-04:002011-06-29T12:00:00.449-04:00Meet the Bloggers: Makeup by Angel<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hi, everyone! I thought I would continue the Meet the Bloggers series and feature the women (and men!) that contribute so much to the beauty community. If you haven't already, definitely check out our first interview with <a href="http://lmfaobeauty.blogspot.com/2010/06/meet-bloggers-nail-polish-addict.html">The Nailpolish Addict</a>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Our second featured blogger is Angel from <a href="http://froggistyle73.blogspot.com/">Makeup By Angel</a>. We met for the first time through Twitter and we've been longtime mutual followers. She's been a great person to follow and I support her wholeheartedly, just as she has supported me throughout the years. Her blog is great as well and provides a lot of great conversation, reviews, and tutorials surrounding makeup and beauty products. Furthermore, her blog incorporates a personal element with the inclusion of her family. It's a pleasure to know someone so dedicated to creating art, sharing experiences, and to her own family. I really appreciate her allowing me to do a special feature for the blog!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 15px;"><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Q:</b> Do you have any nicknames? </span></span></span><br />
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="line-height: 15px;">A: </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">As a child my family called me Chicky, to this day I only have a few family members that still call me this. I have dubbed myself Froggistyle73 lol</span><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;" /><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;" /><b style="line-height: 15px;">Q:</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"> Where are you from? </span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>A: </b>I am originally from <span style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: none; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;">Fremont, California</span> but raised most of my life in <span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;">Modesto, California</span>.</span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;" /><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><b>Q:</b> What is a typical "day in the life" like for you? </span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><b>A:</b> Oh WOW, chaos! I am a mother of 3 children and each have very different schedules. My day consists of shuttling kids to and from school, with a slight 1hour break by myself (which I'm taking advantage of right now) before I have to pick all the kids up again and start homework while making dinner. Then we have some family time together watching tv or playing the <span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;">Wii</span> before it's bed time and we repeat. </span><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;" /><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;" /><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><b>Q:</b> Aside from beauty, what other types of things are you interested in? Have you found that your interest in beauty has made a point of connection with any of these other interests? </span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><b>A: </b> Before I got into makeup and beauty, I enjoyed <span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;">scrap booking</span>. I had a whole area in my bedroom that was dedicated for it and then it slowly got put to the side to make room for my makeup collection. LOL My husband is a photographer and that has got me more involved in photography, modeling and makeup. Both scrap booking and makeup, even photography have all combined at one point or another. </span><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;" /><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;" /><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><b>Q:</b> When did you first become interested in makeup and other beauty products?</span><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><b>A: </b></span>My husband started his own photography business and he needed a "model." I hardly consider myself a model but he did need a subject to photograph. I noticed that my pictures looked dull and washed out. In an effort to better understand why my makeup wasn't showing up in pictures, I turned to the internet to learn about makeup for photography and well...the rest is history. </span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><b>Q: </b> What is your personal philosophy regarding beauty?</span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><b>A: </b>Do what makes you feel good! In my life, pretty much everything I do is dramatic so why would I expect anything less from my makeup? LOL So take that into consideration for your life and your beauty rules. Take some risks and follow the basics of beauty, everything else you can make up as you go along. </span><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;" /><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><b>Q: </b> Who or what would you say are your beauty inspirations?</span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><b>A: </b>I'm inspired by a lot of celebrities, it's sort of my guilty pleasure. I like to take looks they've done for promos and videos and re-create them to make them more wearable or more dramatic. I also take inspiration from nature, it's the best because nature never gets the colors wrong.</span><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;" /><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><b>Q:</b> What do you believe is the worst beauty mistake that others could make and/or what are your beauty pet peeves?</span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>A: </b>Beauty mistakes: lining your lips in black and using a nude color inside the lines, wrong foundation color (too orange or too yellow), not blending your shadows. </span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;">Beauty pet peeves: people who think there is nothing beyond MAC, drives me insane! </span><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;" /><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><b>Q:</b> How would you describe your signature makeup look?</span><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><b>A: </b></span>I go through spurts where I will wear a certain color all the time but I always mix up the color placement or technique. For the most part though, I would have to say dramatic looks are my signature go to looks. If I am not feeling the makeup for the day, I don't wear any.</span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;" /><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><b>Q:</b> What would you say are your "go to" products and what products are you currently in love with?</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><span style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><b>A: </b>Go to products: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">Revlon Colorstay Foundation</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"> is a must! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">Urban Decay</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"> Primer Potion. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">Maybelline</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"> Full N Soft mascara w/p formula. Maybelline Line Stiletto liquid liner. Wet N Wild Color Icon palettes!</span></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;">Current loves: MAC Black Track fluid line, NYX Cosmetics blushes, lipsticks, glosses and </span><span style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">eye shadow</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">. FLIRT! Cosmetics eye shadow</span></span><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;" /><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><b>Q:</b> How did you get your start in beauty blogging and what was your main goal in starting your blog?</span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><b>A: </b> </span></span><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;">My original goal was to have an online gallery of looks I had created or re-created of others. I eventually wanted to get my name and work out there to try and become more prominent in my community. </span><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;">Then I started having health issues and it became therapeutic and helped relieve stress and anxiety, so my goal changed. I wasn't needing to be known anymore, I just was doing it for me. </span><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"> </span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;" /><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><b>Q:</b> Do your friends and family know about your blog? If so, what do they think about it? If not, why haven't you shared it?</span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><b>A: </b>Some of my family know about it and almost all of my friends are aware of it. My friends are very supportive and ask for my help often. My family is not as supportive and we don't speak about it.</span><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;" /><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><b>Q:</b> What type of impact, if any, has running a blog had on your life?</span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><b>A: </b>Having this blog is like having a job I actually like. It keeps me busy and also keeps me wanting more. I want to read and learn every bit of information out there so I can share it with others. I want to eventually be a MUA and put all of the knowledge to good use. I've become so passionate about it that it has become everyday life. My children are always getting lessons on skin and beauty lol.</span><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;" /><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><b>Q:</b> We all know that you have a blog, but have you already or are you planning on posting videos to </span><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;">YouTube</span></span><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;">? </span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><b>A: </b>I have no plans of doing <span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;">YouTube videos</span>. I have friends that ask me all the time when I will start doing tutorials and I always say I won't be. LOL I try to keep my life pretty positive and there is so much negativity that comes from YouTube and I don't want to subject myself to that. I know I could ignore it but there are so many great women, even men there with great informative videos that I don't think I need to join that world. I'm happy being a blogger :) </span><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;" /><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><b>Q:</b> What advice would you give someone that is looking to start their own blog?</span><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><b>A: </b></span>My advice would be, do it for you and make it what you want it to be! Stay true to you and be honest. People will see how genuine you are in your posts and will keep coming back. </span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;" /><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><b>Q:</b> What do you think the future holds for you?</span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>A: </b>I think with a lot of hard work and determination I will have a career with makeup. I would love to go into business with my kids and husband one day. My children, as young as they are, are already talking about their careers (hair, fashion and race car driver lol) and if I could combine them into a photography studio, that would be the ultimate job for me. </span></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;" /><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><b>Q: </b> What would you like people to remember about you the most?</span></span></span></div></div></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><span style="line-height: 15px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none;"><b>A: </b>I am always me, computer screen or not it's always the real me. I'm fun, honest, passionate and there isn't </span></span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">a thing I wouldn't do for my family.</span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: #3c3c3c; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Would you like to appear on the next Meet The Bloggers segment? Please send all interest notices to <a href="mailto:LMFAOBeauty@gmail.com" style="color: #54740e; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;">LMFAOBeauty@gmail.com</a>. I'm looking forward to getting to know you!</span></span></div>Melliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836722361602635171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320672736951241127.post-64048214957261801702011-05-27T12:00:00.001-04:002011-05-27T12:00:01.950-04:00Review: Lush Breath of Fresh Air Skin TonerWhile I'm not one of Lush's die-hard regular customers, there just seems to be something about Lush that draws me into buying their products. Maybe it was the cheerfully persuasive sales woman. Maybe it was the packaging or the pretty colors. Maybe it was the natural, earthy smell. Or...maybe I'm just too impulsive and too easily swayed to say no. Whatever it was, I came in for some window shopping and walked out with Charity Pot hand lotion, Lemony Flutter cuticle cream, and this--Breath of Fresh Air skin toner.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/lushtoner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/lushtoner.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Breath of Fresh Air Skin Toner</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><b>What it is:</b><br />
According to the Lush website, Breath of Fresh Air skin toner brings all of the nutrients of the sea to your skin. It is said to be beneficial for dry skin, especially while traveling by airplane or sitting in air-conditioned offices. Among the ingredient list is Breath of Fresh Air's featured product, aloe vera gel.<br />
<b>My impression:</b><br />
I used to use toner a few years ago and stopped, mostly because the alcohol made my skin dry out. I recently became interested in trying it again, however, though I wasn't exactly sure which product was for me. When I asked for some advice, the woman at Lush recommended this to me, especially since it didn't have any alcohol. After bringing it home, I was pretty pleased with the results. It got off the last bits of makeup and cleanser that might have been left over from washing my face. It also felt very lightweight and refreshing and I noticed my skin starting to take on a smoother, more even appearance after a couple weeks of use. One of my favorite things about it is that a little goes a long way. Just two spritzes on a cotton pad is enough for me to apply it to half my face. The unique spray top ensures that the same amount is dispensed each time and not a lot of product goes to waste. Because of this, I could easily see this bottle of toner lasting me several months, even with me using it morning and night. It did smell a little earthy, quite possibly because of the rosemary oil, so if that smell is a turnoff for you, this might not be for you.<br />
<b>My recommendation:</b><br />
All in all, I thought that it was a great toner. I loved that there wasn't any alcohol in it and that it kept my skin relatively moist. Additionally, I thought it was great that it featured natural ingredients. I also liked that the spray top allowed for a way to dispense the product in a sanitary and controlled way. My skin does look better than it did before I was using the toner. However, I think that even though it would last a while, the price tag is a little hefty for it to be a "must have." I would definitely recommend it, but I wouldn't consider it a necessity.<br />
<b>The rundown:</b><br />
<br />
<ul><li>Product: 5/5</li>
<li>Packaging: 5/5</li>
<li>Quality: 5/5</li>
<li>Overall: 5/5</li>
<li>Would I buy it again?: Yes, repurchase is very likely!</li>
<li>Where to buy: <a href="http://www.lushusa.com/">Lush</a> website or Lush stores</li>
<li>Price: $8.95 for 3.3 fl oz. or $18.95 for 8.4 fl oz.</li>
<li>Pros:<br />
+ Does not include alcohol<br />
+ Non-drying<br />
+ Not greasy<br />
+ Lightweight<br />
+ A little goes a long way<br />
+ Natural ingredients<br />
+ Packaging allows controlled release of product</li>
<li>Cons:<br />
- A little pricey<br />
- Can smell a little funky to some</li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c3c3c; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I hope you guys found these reviews helpful! I'm looking forward to trying out more new things and sharing the stuff I've tried with all of you. If you have any comments or questions, please don't hesitate to let me know!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c3c3c; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c3c3c; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c3c3c; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">Disclaimer: I have not been paid to review any of the products featured above. I purchased all of the products reviewed in this blog post and did not receive them for free. I ensure that this is my true and honest opinion.</span></span></div>Melliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836722361602635171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320672736951241127.post-16131444311737310142011-05-20T12:00:00.000-04:002011-05-20T12:00:00.937-04:00Review: Rush Shine DBP Free TopcoatThe third quick dry topcoat that I will be reviewing is Rush Shine DBP Free Topcoat, completing (for now!) my series of reviews. If you're interested in being <a href="http://lmfaobeauty.blogspot.com/2011/02/choice-to-be-big-3-free.html">Big 3 free</a> and were thinking about some products, you might also be interested in checking out my review of <a href="http://lmfaobeauty.blogspot.com/2011/02/review-oh-so-wet-quick-dry-topcoat.html">Oh So Wet!</a> and <a href="http://lmfaobeauty.blogspot.com/2011/05/review-nubar-diamont-seal-shine-topcoat.html">Nubar Diamont Seal & Shine</a>. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/rushshine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/rushshine.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Rush shine DBP Free Topcoat</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>What it is:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As described on the Sally Beauty website, this topcoat claims to be high gloss, quick drying, professional formula, and protective. It is also DBP free and claims to promote healthy and long-growing nails.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>My impression:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To be honest, I wasn't planning on even reviewing this product and only picked it up "on a whim" because it was right next to Oh So Wet! But it was affordable and DBP free, so I figured it was worth a shot to review and share my experience. The consistency of Rush Shine was a little on the thinner side, closely matching the consistency of Oh So Wet! It was easy to work with, however, in my experience it didn't dry any faster than a regular topcoat. Additionally, it was not as "high gloss" as I had hoped--in fact, I thought my polish looked a little flat. In terms of chipping, I would say that my nails started chipping as soon as the next day or two--even with Orly Top 2 Bottom as a basecoat. Because my manicure failed to last, I can't comment on whether or not the topcoat dulled the color or if I was able to achieve healthier, long-growing nails with its use.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>My recommendation:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I've said before, it's not often that I give a bad review on things. I'm usually very generous and my reviews are usually positive--especially since I do some research before choosing to buy things. I guess I should have did a little more research on this topcoat, as it did not impress me at all. I would not recommend it in the slightest. In fact, you're better off getting a "regular" (big 3 free!) topcoat, as it would probably dry in the same time and do a better job at protecting and providing shine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>The rundown:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><ul><li>Product: 1/5</li>
<li>Packaging: 5/5</li>
<li>Quality: 2/5</li>
<li>Overall: 2.7/5</li>
<li>Would I buy this again? - Not at all.</li>
<li>Where to buy? - I bought mine at Sally Beauty Supply.</li>
<li>Price - $4.99</li>
<li>Pros:<br />
+ DBP free<br />
+ Affordable</li>
<li>Cons:<br />
- Did not dry quickly<br />
- Finish was a bit flat<br />
- Nails chipped shortly after</li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c3c3c; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I hope you enjoyed round three (and the final round, for now!) of my Big 3 free quick dry topcoat reviews. Having experienced three different quick dry topcoats, I think that the best I have experienced thus far is <a href="http://lmfaobeauty.blogspot.com/2011/05/review-nubar-diamont-seal-shine-topcoat.html">Nubar Diamont Seal & Shine</a>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c3c3c; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c3c3c; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">If you have any experience with this or know of any similar products I should try, please feel free to leave a question or comment below!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Disclaimer: I have not been paid to review the product featured above. I purchased all of the products reviewed in this blog post and did not receive them for free. I ensure that this is my true and honest opinion.</span></span></div>Melliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836722361602635171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320672736951241127.post-86889137189267406362011-05-20T11:34:00.000-04:002011-05-20T11:34:56.969-04:00Update: Follow Me On Twitter!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/followmeejpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/followmeejpg.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Hello, readers! Those of you that had followed my blog Twitter, @LMFAOBeauty, might have noticed that the link is no more. But not to fear--you can still follow me at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/velocimellie">@VelociMellie</a>!<br />
<br />
I decided that it would be the best move, considering it's a lot easier for me to update only one Twitter account. I also thought that it would be a great way to get to know followers on a more personal level, considering I'm a lot more in touch with that Twitter account. Since the blog is well-rounded by featuring beauty and fashion aspects in addition to life events, I thought it would only be fitting that my Twitter page stand for the same things as well.<br />
<br />
My Twitter account is locked for privacy reasons, but if you request me I will be sure to respond to it in a timely manner! Definitely don't be shy and don't forget to say hello once you've followed me--I'm always interested in meeting new people.<br />
<br />
Once again, thank you for all of the support and I'm looking forward to tweeting with you in the future!Melliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836722361602635171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320672736951241127.post-90204677214247197692011-05-18T15:05:00.000-04:002011-05-18T15:05:11.288-04:00Congratulations, Class of 2011!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now that we're entering graduation season, I thought that I'd take the time to dedicate a post to my fellow graduates in the Class of 2011 and to share a little bit of my experience with you. First and foremost, I'd like to say congratulations to anyone that also graduated this spring. I know that we've all put in a lot of time and effort into earning our diplomas and to finally have it embodied in a way that lasts a lifetime is certainly a great achievement deserving of recognition. Hats off to you and best of luck in your life endeavors!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/meenfamily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/meenfamily.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My family and I taking pictures after commencement.<br />
My brother and I are tall! Haha...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>As for me... I began my college career in the fall of 2007 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as a marketing major. I was very much interested in consumer behavior and the power of influence. The initial interest grew into love as I took pertinent course materials and found that not only was I creative--I was also analytical. I feel blessed to have the capability to see and be interested in both sides of the story, and while my heart pushes me towards research and analytics, I still enjoy and appreciate the creative aspect of my chosen major. <br />
<br />
That isn't to say that the journey was easy, however. I had my first experience with being away from my home and my family as well as the experience of living with people that were virtually strangers. I was opened up to a new world of different people and experiences, which I felt was especially challenging due to my quiet and reserved nature. Academics were also a challenge as well, as I had dual involvement in honors/scholar programs that required a very demanding schedule and a great deal of work. Also requiring a great deal of work were the extracurricular activities in which I participated and the leadership roles I held. On top of balancing my social life, academics, and extracurricular activities, there was also the issue of work experiences.<br />
<br />
While I held a summer internship on the boardwalk close to my house, I think my first real business experience came at the start of my current job. It was my first time in an office setting, and never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would be working for a huge, multinational firm this early in my life. In spite of this, I really think I held my own and learned a lot--especially since I've been working here full-time and have been living away from home (and for a lot of the time on my own). Although I enjoy where I am, it wasn't always easy to wake up before the sun came up, sit in up to two hours of traffic, and have to come back and take care of things like cooking and cleaning. Moreover, it was especially hard to keep energized when I had to budget my time between work, school, friends, family, and my boyfriend. I certainly felt as though I had been thrust unexpectedly into some type of legitimate adulthood. As hard and as different as it was, I wouldn't exchange it for anything--it was one of my most valuable life experiences to date.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/meenburr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/meenburr.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My boyfriend and I with my diploma. Graduated with<br />
honors, baby! :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>But of course, I wouldn't be where I am today without the love and support of my friends and family. I thoroughly appreciate their encouraging words and their willingness to let me reach for my dreams. I'm sure it wasn't easy for my parents to let go of me and let me experience the world on my own for a while...and I'm sure it wasn't easy for my friends to deal with me ranting about my struggles, haha. But I do want to say that I appreciate and love all of them from the bottom of my heart.<br />
<br />
And of course, I appreciate all of my readers here, for supporting this dream of sharing my experiences about life, makeup, fashion, and beauty.Melliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836722361602635171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320672736951241127.post-10554117458114958162011-05-18T10:54:00.001-04:002011-05-18T10:54:18.548-04:00Review: Nubar Diamont Seal & Shine TopcoatAs many of you know, this review follows a <a href="http://lmfaobeauty.blogspot.com/2011/02/choice-to-be-big-3-free.html">series of posts</a> stemming from my pursuit of nail products that are Big 3 Free. Since the first product to go was Seche Vite, I decided to review other quick dry topcoat alternatives. The first I reviewed was <a href="http://lmfaobeauty.blogspot.com/2011/02/review-oh-so-wet-quick-dry-topcoat.html">Oh So Wet!</a>, a product that I enjoyed very much. The next quick dry topcoat I'll be reviewing for my readers is Nubar Diamont Seal & Shine Topcoat.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/Nubar_Diamont_sealandshine_topcoatcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/Nubar_Diamont_sealandshine_topcoatcopy.jpg" width="166" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Nubar Diamont Seal & Shine Topcoat</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>What it is:</b> </div><div style="text-align: left;">According to the website, Nubar Diamont Seal & Shine is the "ultimate" in quick dry topcoats. It is meant to seal polish and nail art for wear and shine, ensuring that the color will last. The formula also includes UV-protectors and claims to be non-yellowing, fast drying, high gloss finish, and chip resistant. Best of all, it claims to be Big 3 free!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>My Impression:</b> </div><div style="text-align: left;">In doing my research about which topcoats to try, I heard a lot of good things about this topcoat. If memory serves me correctly, many users ranked this as their "holy grail" of topcoats. Given the good reviews, I decided to give this a try. In comparison to Seche Vite, the formulation is thinner, but in comparison to Oh So Wet!, the formulation is thicker. To me, the consistency was perfect since it didn't glob up and I felt that it would really give the coverage and protection every girl (or guy!) seeks from a topcoat. From my recollection, it didn't take all too long to dry--just a few minutes and it felt dry to the touch. I would say it took about the same length of time as Seche Vite took to dry completely. While the finish wasn't as smooth as Seche Vite, it was already much smoother and definitely more glossy than Oh So Wet! However, I did notice that after a few days, it did seem to dull some colors a bit--especially the milky pinks that I wear to work. This wasn't that big of an issue for me, as I frequently change nail colors. But for those of you interested in longevity, I will confirm that there was very minimal (if any!) chipping involved, though I also started using Orly Top 2 Bottom as my base coat.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>My recommendation:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">While I think that Oh So Wet! was a good product, I think that I am much more partial to Nubar Diamont Seal & Shine. It's a little more expensive, but I felt that it dried faster, had a better consistency, and provided better protection. Though it behaves differently than Seche Vite, I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for an effective quick dry topcoat that does not contain the toxic trio.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The rundown:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><ul><li>Product: 4/5</li>
<li>Packaging: 5/5</li>
<li>Quality: 5/5</li>
<li>Overall: 4.8/5</li>
<li>Would I buy this again? - Absolutely!</li>
<li>Where to purchase? - At the moment, I'm not aware of any retail outlets selling this. I purchased mine from the <a href="http://www.bynubar.com/store/index.php?p=home">Nubar website</a>.</li>
<li>Price: $7.49 on the website</li>
<li>Pros:<br />
+ Big 3 Free!<br />
+ Manageable consistency<br />
+ Dries quickly<br />
+ Glossy finish<br />
+ Protective</li>
<li>Cons:<br />
- Dulls the color of some polishes</li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3c3c3c; font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I hope you enjoyed round two of my Big 3 free quick dry topcoat reviews. If you have any experience with this or know of any similar products I should try, please feel free to leave a question or comment below!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Disclaimer: I have not been paid to review the product featured above. I purchased all of the products reviewed in this blog post and did not receive them for free. I ensure that this is my true and honest opinion.</span></span></div>Melliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836722361602635171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320672736951241127.post-62459743889630038362011-03-30T13:13:00.000-04:002011-03-30T13:13:44.301-04:00Back from Europe--With Pictures!Wow. Would you believe that I've been home from Europe for two weeks already and I have yet to make a post? Shame on me! But life ended up taking the reins and as I prepare for graduation in may, the amount of things that I need to get done keep snowballing into one big, frustrating ordeal. That's normal for any graduating senior, I suppose, but I still remain committed to updating as much as possible and sharing as much as I can of my life with you. In any case, I'd like to thank all of the readers and everyone that wished me a good trip in Germany and France. I had a fairly decent flight to Europe and once we got there, it was certainly a great experience!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/198142_10150422052885083_566830082_17535238_8312520_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/198142_10150422052885083_566830082_17535238_8312520_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>One of the first places we went to was Hohenzollern castle, which was just absolutely gorgeous. It sat atop a mountain that we actually needed to climb. It was then that I realized...I am terribly out of shape!!! (I'm making strides on improving this...more to follow in the next Susan G. Komen post.) Despite huffing and puffing all the way to the top, I found that it was definitely worth it. The architecture was beautiful and it totally spoke to that side in me that yearns to be a princess.<br />
<br />
While we did a few touristy things while in Germany, we did visit quite a few businesses and we went to places where we could observe International Marketing (that's what the trip was for, after all!). One such place was the outlet town of Metzingen. It was a very beautiful set of outlets with high-quality stores like Burberry, Ralph Lauren, Puma, and Hugo Boss. Despite being an outlet town, however, everything was still much too expensive for me and I ended up window shopping. It was still a good experience--and I saved my wallet some, too! Another place we visited was Reutlingen University, where we had a lecture and got to see the way that German universities operate. For those of you that enjoy a good "brewski," I am pleased to announce that we did go to a German brewery! It was named Berg Brewery and we got to do our own little beer tasting there as a class. We also had an authentic German dinner in which I finally figured out what a schnitzel was!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/189970_10150422068555083_566830082_17535445_4726066_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/189970_10150422068555083_566830082_17535445_4726066_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Another highlight of the trip was the Mercedes Factory and Museum. I don't know much about cars, but I do appreciate good design and quality engineering. I was surprised to see a lot of Mercedes cars were used as police cars, tour buses, freight trucks, and more. I was also surprised to see that the Pope Mobile was a Mercedes, too! Out of all the cars in the museum, I think my favorites were probably the convertibles. One of my biggest "fantasies," so to speak, comes right out of those old movies. There's nothing I'd love more than to have a dashing gentleman waiting in front of my house in a convertible, ready to pick me up and ride into the countryside. Let me also add in that a stylish scarf around my hair and big sunglasses are also necessary! But in all seriousness...not only were the cars amazing, but the design of the actual building itself was dazzling as well and very modern! Overall, it was a good experience to see where these cars got their start and how they evolved through the years. I had a similar experience on my last day in Germany, when we went to the Porsche museum.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/199513_10150422086700083_566830082_17535675_3630569_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/199513_10150422086700083_566830082_17535675_3630569_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I'm not really sure how much of this is evident in the posts that I make, but I would probably consider myself a very traditional person. It's probably not a surprise that the quaint little town of Rothenburg found a special place in my heart. A city that was once ravaged by war, Rothenburg, it was able to rebuild and rise once more. The architecture here was stunning and if there was one place I visited where I would choose to live full-time, it would be here. From my research, Rothenburg served as inspiration for the setting of the Disney movie <i>Pinnochio</i> and was the setting of scenes in the film <i>Chitty Chitty Bang Bang</i> (not that I've watched it--I just heard about it!).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/198143_10150422081795083_566830082_17535603_4623672_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/198143_10150422081795083_566830082_17535603_4623672_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It was in Rothenburg that I had my first mini schneeballen, a dessert made of fried dough. Although everything in the bakery looked delicious (it's Europe, after all...how could it not?), I decided to go with the mini-schneeballen. The particular kind I decided to try (and the one featured in the picture!) is of the cinnamon-sugar variety. Other varieties that were available were nut, chocolate, and powdered sugar. I suppose what I would compare it to is kind of like a donut hole (in terms of available flavors), except on the crunchy side! I determined that the mini schneeballen wasn't for me, but it wasn't bad at all!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/198359_10150422089220083_566830082_17535710_3508484_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/198359_10150422089220083_566830082_17535710_3508484_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>After taking care of business in Germany, we went to France. The picture on the left is of the Arc de Triomphe, which we visited on our first night in Paris. It was breathtaking at night! Though you'd think that after nearly keeling over climbing the mountain to Hohenzollern, I would give up on climbing, I decided to be a trooper and stick it out. I ended up climbing to the top and I'm really glad that I did. From the top of the Arc de Triomphe was an astounding view of the entirety of Paris. Though I ended up going a lot of different places throughout the rest of my stay in Paris, I think that by far, my favorite pictures were taken here, that night, at the Arc de Triomphe.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/200607_10150422090250083_566830082_17535723_4708943_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/200607_10150422090250083_566830082_17535723_4708943_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This picture is of the city street, branching out from the Arc de Triomphe. What I really liked about our trip to Paris was that we were given a 3-day metro pass for our weekend there. With that pass, we were able to go see the all of the tourist destinations in which we were interested as well as go poking around the city. Though I'm not fluent in French (my experience spans four years of French education courses in high school...I am now a senior in college), I was surprised at how much came back to me and how well we were able to navigate and get around the city. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/188434_10150422168640083_566830082_17536624_6018752_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/188434_10150422168640083_566830082_17536624_6018752_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>While I only featured a few pictures here on the blog, I did visit a lot of tourist attractions. I was able to make it to the Eiffel Tower, the Moulin Rouge, the Louvre, Montmarte, the Basilica of the Sacre Coeur, the Notre Dame de Paris, and the Saint Denis Basilica. My general feeling is that I saw a lot and not enough at the same time. A weekend was definitely not enough to accomplish all that I wanted to accomplish, and I am definitely looking forward to going back to Paris and seeing all these things again. <br />
<br />
While we were able to visit a lot of tourist attractions on our own, the entire class went to visit Crown, Cork, & Seal, a company responsible for metal packaging. It's actually the industry leader and you probably would never know. It manufactures containers for a lot of things from beverages to cleaning products to watches to wine to even cosmetics. Who knew? It was definitely interesting to see things from their perspective.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/188912_10150422095445083_566830082_17535790_4249394_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/188912_10150422095445083_566830082_17535790_4249394_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>So what did I learn overall?<br />
<ul><li>I love architecture.</li>
<li>I'd love to learn more about photography.</li>
<li>I need to get in more of my pictures. I was behind the camera almost the entire time! I need to document that I was actually at these places!</li>
<li><i>Pain au chocolat</i> is absolutely DELICIOUS and I will miss having it for breakfast every day...although it's probably a good thing I'm not having it every day, haha.</li>
<li>European chocolate is WIN.</li>
<li>Europe is super fun! :)</li>
</ul>If you've got any other questions or comments, please feel free to leave them here and I'll be happy to answer!Melliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836722361602635171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320672736951241127.post-84511239428886958592011-03-04T19:00:00.000-05:002011-03-04T19:00:00.347-05:00Au Revoir & Auf Wiedersehen! Mellie Goes to Europe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/airplane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" l6="true" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/airplane.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Yes, that's right! By the time you have read this blog post, I will probably be on a plane to Europe.<br />
<br />
For those of you that don't already know, I will be traveling abroad for the next few days with an International Marketing course at my school. We'll be going to Germany and France to see various companies and observe marketing in different cultures. Since I haven't been to Europe before (only Asia!), I thought it would be a great opportunity to experience something new for a change.<br />
<br />
While it spells out great opportunity for me, it means that I more than likely will be absent from the Internet--but don't fret! I've got a few posts scheduled for my time away and I'm definitely planning on making a post summarizing my trip (complete with pictures!) shortly after I get back.<br />
<br />
Thanks again for being the wonderful readers you are. I'm going to miss you all--without you, this blog would be nothing!Melliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836722361602635171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320672736951241127.post-74828772896380139322011-02-27T10:00:00.003-05:002011-02-27T10:00:13.356-05:00Because Everyone Deserves a Lifetime ® <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/lolananay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" l6="true" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/lolananay.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A picture of me with my late grandmother, <br />
Avelina Antonia Vibar-Provido (1930-1991).</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I thought I'd take the time to update you guys on my progress for Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure. I'm happy to announce that I believe I surpassed the goal that I had set for myself last month. I had hoped to raise at least $250 by the end of February and I ended up raising $270, with $60 on the way! It may seem like a small gain, but I'm already at 12% of my goal and I've got a few months left to make a splash and raise the remainder of it. For anyone interested in checking it out, see my page at <a href="http://the3day.org/goto/meganpalos">http://the3day.org/goto/meganpalos</a>.<br />
<br />
I guess what I wanted to talk about was the picture that I have been using on my participant website and on each of my posts here. As the caption indicates, it's a picture of my late grandmother and me. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with a very advanced stage of breast cancer when I was still a toddler and passed away shortly after. In doing this, some people have asked me: "Why have a picture of someone you hardly even knew on your site? Why are you walking for this person? Why is it so important for you?"<br />
<br />
I really do think that's a valid question. I was but a child when she passed, but something that was very inspiring to me was one of the slogans of the organization: "Because Everyone Deserves a Lifetime." Aside from the pictures we took together and the VHS home videos, I don't have many memories of her. I remember playing out in the snow and her hands painstakingly peeling grapes for me because, for some strange reason, I hated grape skins. I know that she loved me with the unique love that a grandparent has for their grandchild and I know that I loved her with all of the affection of an innocent child.<br />
<br />
It all seems like it was cut too short, however. Just as I came into the world and my eyes were opened, she departed and hers were closed. Images and memories that I hold near and dear to me now...how many more could we have had together had she not succumbed to the illness? That's something I'll never know, but I know a lot of people have been affected by this illness and I hope that in doing this walk, that's something I can help to change.<br />
<br />
One of the things that I love about this event is that all of the proceeds are put towards breast cancer research and community programs. It also strives to decrease breast cancer incidence and mortality within the next decade. I think it's so important to spread awareness and actively pursue a cure and more effective treatment for this illness that seems to have affected everyone. Although the goal seems like a lofty concept, no one got anywhere by not believing. The dollars that have gone towards this cause have already helped: While attending a Get Started meeting for the event, the meeting leader stated that when she first started getting involved in the cause, the statistic was that 1 in 7 women is diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Because of the effort put towards this cause, the statistic has increased to 1 in 8.<br />
<br />
While I am just one person, I firmly believe that one person is all it takes to stand up, work for change, and truly make a difference.Melliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836722361602635171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320672736951241127.post-74182645976032579332011-02-25T12:00:00.000-05:002011-02-25T12:00:06.625-05:00Look: Pink and Purple Pokémon LookI'm sure it's not really a secret that I am a major nerd. I wear glasses, love Hello Kitty, enjoy video games, watch embarrassing movies and documentaries...I'm sure you all know the type. Well, I'm sure you can imagine my surprise when I ran into <a href="http://www.shirocosmetics.com/">Shiro Cosmetics </a>on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/shirocosmetics">Etsy</a>. The catchphrase of this brand is "makeup and geekery" and with a multitude of hand-blended, vegan mineral shadows on sale with names like Jigglypuff and 1-Up, it certainly delivers.<br />
<br />
I did a little bit of research, found some excellent reviews, and decided to take the plunge. I definitely was not disappointed. I received my package in a very timely fashion and my little pigment jars were placed into cute little decorative bags. I ended up ordering Mew, Acid, Meowth, Gengar, and Pikachu, but they were kind enough to include sample sizes of Squirtle and SS Anne. I did some swatches, and overall, I really liked them! I'll be sure to order from them again in the future.<br />
<br />
Anyway, the reason I didn't really do an extensive review on these was because I got a new camera and I haven't really figured out how to use it that well yet. Hopefully I can get it all sorted out...hopefully before I go to Europe...and get back to posting a few more better-photographed swatches and looks! So without further interruption, here's what I created!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/mew2wm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/mew2wm.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/mewwm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/mewwm.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/mew3wm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/mew3wm.png" /></a></div><br />
<b>Face Products:</b><br />
MAC Studio Fix foundation<br />
MAC Pro Longwear concealer<br />
MAC Mineral Skinfinish Natural in Medium Dark<br />
NARS Laguna bronzer<br />
NARS Albatross<br />
NARS Deep Throat<br />
<br />
<b>Face Brushes</b>:<br />
Sigma F80<br />
MAC 150<br />
MAC 168<br />
MAC 109<br />
Coastal Scents fluffy brush<br />
<br />
<b>Eyes:</b><br />
Urban Decay Primer Potion<br />
<b> </b>Shiro Cosmetics Mew pigment - lid<br />
MAC All That Glitters eyeshadow - crease<br />
MAC Plum Dressing eyeshadow - crease & lower lashline <br />
MAC Shadowy Lady eyeshadow - crease<br />
MAC Brule eyeshadow - browbone<br />
MAC Shroom eyeshadow - middle of browbone<br />
MAC Blacktrack Fluidline - upper lashline<br />
Stila Kajal eyeliner in Onyx - waterline<br />
Cover Girl Lash Blast Fusion mascara<br />
<br />
<b>Eye brushes/tools:</b><br />
Shu Uemura eyelash curler<br />
MAC 239 - lid<br />
MAC 224 - crease<br />
MAC 217 - crease<br />
MAC 219 - lower lashline<br />
Coastal Scents shader brush - highlight <br />
Sigma E05 - liner<br />
<br />
<b>Lips:</b><br />
Viva Glam Gaga lipstick<br />
NYX La~La lipgloss<br />
<br />
Hope you liked it! Please feel free to leave any questions or comments below.Melliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836722361602635171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320672736951241127.post-35306141357422426902011-02-22T12:00:00.000-05:002011-02-22T12:00:01.865-05:00Review: Nivea - A Kiss of Smoothness Hydrating Lip CareDo you also battle dry, chapped lips as I do? Are you also looking for kissably soft and smooth lips? Well this product is not for you. Okay, okay, that was a little drastic. It definitely wasn't for me, at the very least! I think it's rare that I give a negative review on a product--I'm very forgiving when it comes to product reviews. However, despite seeing many favorable reviews for this product online, I definitely beg to differ. This product did nothing for me!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/Nivealipbalm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/Nivealipbalm.jpg" width="64" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Nivea - A Kiss of Smoothness Hydrating Lip Care</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>What it is:</b><br />
It is described on the website as a lip balm that quickly absorbs to leave a soft feeling on the lips. The inclusion of jojoba oil and shea butter are to provide long lasting moisturization.<b> </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>My impression:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">After seeing several favorable reviews of this product, I thought that I would give it a try. I snuck off to the drugstore and bought myself two sticks--one for my purse and one to keep at my desk in my apartment. As I'm sure any makeup maven does when getting a new product, I unwrapped them excitedly, very eager to use them.<b></b><b></b> When I first applied it, my lips felt very soft and smooth. I thought that I had hit gold! Unfortunately, that feeling didn't last...and that's the problem. While my lips felt soft and smooth for a while, it just sat at the surface of my lips and went away after maybe 30-60 minutes. Even though many lip balms fade away, they still at least leave your lips feeling pretty decent, but not this product. My lips felt tight and dry...almost as if I had gone away for the weekend and had forgotten my lip balm at home! There are two redeeming qualities however--the fact that it comes in a tube (I prefer tubes to pots since I don't like dipping my fingers into products), that it has SPF protection, and that it does not have a strange taste or smell.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>My recommendation:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you really want to give this product a try, I'm not stopping you. However, I know that I would not at all purchase this product again. It didn't do anything it should have done and for almost $3 a pop, I really was expecting a little bit more.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b> The rundown:</b></div><ul><li>Product: 2/5</li>
<li><b> </b>Packaging: 5/5</li>
<li>Quality: 2/5</li>
<li>Overall: 3/5</li>
<li>Would I buy this again?: Probably not.</li>
<li>Where to buy: A wide variety of places (e.g. - Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, etc.)</li>
<li>Price: Price varies, but I'd say it's around $3</li>
<li>Pros:<br />
+ It comes in a tube (I prefer tubes to pots)<br />
+ It has SPF 4<br />
+ Does not have strange taste or smell</li>
<li>Cons:<br />
- It did not last</li>
</ul>I hope you found my review helpful! If there are any questions or even if you have some lip balm recommendations, please feel free to let me know in the comments below. Thanks!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Disclaimer: I have not been paid to review the product featured above. I purchased all of the products reviewed in this blog post and did not receive them for free. I ensure that this is my true and honest opinion.</span>Melliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836722361602635171noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320672736951241127.post-9677351165366607802011-02-16T12:00:00.001-05:002011-02-16T12:00:06.384-05:00Review: Oh So Wet! Quick Dry TopcoatFor those of you that follow my blog, you might have noticed my earlier post on <a href="http://lmfaobeauty.blogspot.com/2011/02/choice-to-be-big-3-free.html">my decision to be Big 3 Free</a>. As part of this decision, I decided against continued use of my once favorite quick dry topcoat, Seche Vite. Consequently, I went out and bought myself a few topcoats to try, one of which being Oh So Wet! quick dry topcoat.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/topcoat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/topcoat.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Oh So Wet! Quick Dry Topcoat</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>What it is:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">It is described as a quick drying topcoat that is designed to be placed over any 7-day manicure.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b> My impression:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Prior to my exploration of the Big 3 toxic trio, I had never really thought about any other quick dry topcoats than Seche Vite. After all, it was the go-to topcoat for everyone and was receiving such rave reviews--it was almost as if nothing at all could measure up. Fortunately, I think I've found a pretty comparable topcoat in Oh So Wet!<b> </b>that meshes with my beliefs. Though it did not dry as quickly as Seche Vite, it did take a much shorter amount of time than if I had used a typical topcoat. I estimate that it probably took around ten minutes to feel dry to the touch and maybe another five or so for me to feel comfortable with the dryness. <b></b>While it wasn't as glossy as Seche Vite, it did give a relatively nice shine. A plus to this was that unlike Seche Vite, I didn't experience any dulling of the color after a few days of wear. I also did not experience as much chipping or any polish peeling off cleanly, though this could have also been attributed to my change in base coat from Seche Clear to Orly Top 2 Bottom. I also liked that the consistency was a lot thinner than Seche Vite and more manageable.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>My recommendation:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Although it dries a little bit slower and is a little less glossy than Seche Vite, I still think that this is a great topcoat. I really like that it doesn't dull after a few days or cause the polish to peel off cleanly. It also takes care of the main function of a topcoat--to protect a manicure. I think that this would be great for anyone looking to try a Big 3 free topcoat. I can really only compare it to Seche Vite, since that is the only quick dry topcoat I've used so far, but putting that experience entirely aside, I still think it's a great product worth trying out.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b> The rundown:</b></div><ul><li>Product: 4/5</li>
<li><b> </b>Packaging: 5/5</li>
<li>Quality: 5/5</li>
<li>Overall: 4.8/5</li>
<li>Would I buy this again?: Sure would!</li>
<li>Where to buy: Sally Beauty</li>
<li>Price: $4.49</li>
<li>Pros:<br />
+ Big 3 free<br />
+ Affordable<br />
+ Dries quickly<br />
+ Glossy finish<br />
+ Applies well<br />
+ Protects manicure</li>
<li>Cons:<br />
- Doesn't dry as quickly as Seche Vite<br />
- Not as glossy as Seche Vite</li>
</ul>I hope you enjoyed round one of my Big 3 free quick dry topcoat reviews. If you have any experience with this or know of any similar products I should try, please feel free to leave a question or comment below! <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Disclaimer: I have not been paid to review the product featured above. I purchased all of the products reviewed in this blog post and did not receive them for free. I ensure that this is my true and honest opinion.</span>Melliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836722361602635171noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320672736951241127.post-3353974182523992262011-02-14T08:00:00.002-05:002011-02-14T08:00:31.901-05:00Happy Valentine's Day!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/princessmellielb/IMG_0025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/princessmellielb/IMG_0025.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't he handsome? ;)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I just wanted to wish all of my readers celebrating/observing the holiday a Happy Valentine's Day! I hope everyone has a great day filled with love!<br />
<br />
For those of you wondering who the picture is of, it's my boyfriend! I thought I'd share with you, since the aim of this blog is to be life-oriented as well. While the story of how we met is quite long and complicated, I will say that we've been together since 2009 and I couldn't be happier.<br />
<br />
At the moment, our relationship is long distance, so we won't be able to be together today based on conflicting schedules. We're not even really Valentine's Day people, I don't think, so it wasn't that big of a deal to either of us. We're just happy spending time together in general!<br />
<br />
We did have a bit of a Valentine's Day moment last weekend. He brought delicious cupcakes over from <a href="http://mrcupcakes.com/">Mr. Cupcakes</a>--including Red Velvet! To be honest, I really only had Red Velvet cake on two previous occasions, and since then, I was craving more and more. Fortunately, after weeks of me begging him (note: "begging" is an understatement), he went on a hunt for Red Velvet cake for me. Little did he know there was a little cupcake shop near his school!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/princessmellielb/cuppycakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/princessmellielb/cuppycakes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>This is what I got surprised with Friday evening. Two Red Velvet cupcakes (Red Velvet with cream cheese icing), two Triple Chocolate cupcakes (chocolate cake with chocolate chips baked inside and dipped in chocolate ganache with chocolate chips on top), and two Birthday Cake cupcakes (yellow cake with buttercream icing and sprinkles). Needless to say, I was quite spoiled that weekend!<br />
<br />
But then again, he always spoils me with love, affection, caring, and understanding. I'm thankful to have him in my life and I'm looking forward to all of the adventures we're going to have together in the future.<br />
<br />
How are all of you spending Valentine's Day? Normal day or something a little extra? In any case, have a great holiday!Melliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836722361602635171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320672736951241127.post-77733951284294132222011-02-12T12:15:00.000-05:002011-02-12T12:15:00.518-05:00The Choice to Be Big 3 Free<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/genericpolishbottle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/genericpolishbottle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Truth be told, I was once a nail-biter. From the end of middle school right up into halfway through my undergrad in college career, I used to bite my nails. What changed that? Finding my love of cosmetics and developing an interest in nailpolish changed all of that. Along with that came my usage of what was then my holy grail topcoat, Seche Vite.<br />
<br />
I'm sure those of you that are into beauty products as I am have seen it reviewed. It has earned a reputation for itself as drying nailpolish faster than it would take to dry on its own while providing an attractive glossy finish and the protective properties of a traditional topcoat. I'm sure that many of you have also seen the controversy surrounding its warning label:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/princessmellielb/sechevite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/princessmellielb/sechevite.jpg" width="100" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<i>WARNING! This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<br />
Now people have argued up and down about this, but the point of this post isn't to evangelize or try and move you to make the same decision I did. It's not even to discuss Seche Vite specifically, as I'm sure there is a wide range of other products that have similar ingredients (e.g. - I read in a comment <a href="http://emilieclarke.blogspot.com/2010/12/seche-vite-warning.html">here</a> that Chanel still makes polishes with toluene). I just want to share what led me to this decision and, if you'd like, provide a starting point for your own research!<br />
<br />
As listed on the website for the <a href="http://www.safecosmetics.org/">Campaign for Safe Cosmetics</a>, the "Toxic Trio" of nailpolish ingredients are dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde and toluene. According to the book <i>A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients</i> by Ruth Winter, M.S., these ingredients can pose a variety of different health risks.<br />
<br />
<b>Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP):</b><br />
This ingredient is used as a plasticizer in nailpolish, but is also used as a perfume solvent, fixative, shampoo, and antifoam ingredient. It can also be used as an insect repellent. DBP has a low toxicity, but if if it is ingested, it can cause gastrointestinal upset. Vapor from this ingredient can irritate both the eyes and mucous membranes.<br />
<br />
With regards to side effects, DBP has been linked to gene and hormone changes in rodents. In humans, it has been linked to genital abnormalities in infants and testicular cancer. Additionally, the United States EPA and the National Toxicology Program suspect that DBP is toxic to development, the endocrine and gastrointestinal systems, liver, nerves, and kidneys. It is also on the California Proposition 65's list of substances known to cause cancer or reproductive harm.<br />
<br />
<b>Formaldehyde:</b><br />
Formaldehyde is currently on the Canadian Hotlist and is banned for use in cosmetics in both Swedena and Japan. This ingredient, popularly known for its use in funeral homes, is also used in many cosmetic products as a disinfectant and preservative. It is used in nail hardeners, nailpolish, soap, and hair products. When used in cosmetics, it is often used as a disinfectant, germicide, fungicide, defoamer, and preservative. Even though it might not be listed on the ingredient list, formaldehyde can be used as a preservative in other ingredients, such as lauryl sulfate. <br />
<br />
In lab rats, it has been found to cause lung cancer. Vapors from formaldehyde are irritating to human mucous membranes. If ingested, formaldehyde can cause severe abdominal pain, internal bleeding, inability to urinate, vertigo, coma, and even death. Skin reactions are common after exposure since it may be irritating and allergy producing.<br />
<br />
Despite the risks, it has been concluded by the CIR Expert Panel to be safe to the great majority of consumers. However, some may be more sensitive than others because of varying skin types. Furthermore, it is encouraged that manufacturing of cosmetic products should take into account the minimum amount of formaldehyde necessary to provide the intended purpose.<br />
<br />
<b>Toluene:</b><br />
Toluene, the offender in Seche Vite, is used in nailpolish up to 50%. It is used mostly as a solvent, and in nailpolish it is used as a "nail strengthener" or hardener with the goal of achieving high adhesion and gloss. <br />
<br />
If ingested, toluene can cause mild anemia and can be used as a narcotic in high concentration. Among the side effects are possible liver damage and skin and respiratory irritation. The longterm effects of low exposure to toluene have been found in at least 20 cities where it is present in drinking water.<br />
<br />
The CIR Expert Panel has determined that toluene is safe in its current use in cosmetic formulations.<br />
<br />
Called to make a change by the public, many companies have decided to reformulate their polishes without these controversial ingredients. Among brands that boast being free of the Big 3 are OPI, China Glaze, Essie, and Zoya.<br />
<br />
<b>Why I decided to be Big 3 free?</b><br />
Though I had been using Seche Vite for almost two years and was vaguely familiar with the concerns on the warning label, I thought that I'd do some research. After doing some reading and buying the book, <i>A Consumer's Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients</i>, I thought it would be in my best interest to try and find an alternative.<br />
<br />
Even though the degree of risk that I will experience some of the side effects mentioned above might be very small, I personally did not think that it was worth the risk. I think that this is especially true since there now exist products that do not use these ingredients and still do a great job. Why continue use if I know that the risk is there and that there are alternatives?<br />
<br />
All in all, it's just nailpolish and I don't think that I could forgive myself if later down the line it turned out that I could have prevented something negative from happening. I am well aware that nailpolish isn't the only arena in which potentially toxic ingredients exist and it probably isn't realistic to be totally free of toxins like these (I remember hearing in a class that women were found with toxins in their body that had been outlawed well before their lifetimes!), but that's why I'm taking the steps to become a little more informed and make my choices that way--one step at a time.<br />
<br />
In response to this topic, I have sought out to find a Seche Vite replacement. Stay tuned for my reviews to come in the next few weeks!</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Melliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836722361602635171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320672736951241127.post-60649958318029286142011-02-09T12:00:00.000-05:002011-02-09T12:00:01.838-05:00Review: MAC Select Moisturecover ConcealerIn the many months that I was missing, I managed to finish up a whole tube of concealer! Though it didn't turn out to be one of my favorites, I thought that it would be beneficial to review it. Today's review is of MAC Select Moisturecover concealer, which I first heard about in a video by Tiffany D and then saw that it got a lot of rave reviews elsewhere. Here is my experience with the product!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/selectmoisturecover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/selectmoisturecover.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>What it is:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">It is described on the MAC website as as a blendable, moisturizing concealer with a doe-foot applicator.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>My impression:</b><b> </b><b> </b></div>I heard a lot of good reviews on this concealer, and many people with dark under-eye circles said it worked well at minimizing their appearance. Well, the perfect under-eye concealer was what I aimed to find, so I thought I would give it a try. I did like the packaging (if only MAC Pro Longwear concealer came with this packaging!) and thought that it was pretty easy to get the product out for use. The concealer was thin in consistency, but in spite of that, it was able to cover and blend very well. I was very impressed with how well it was able to cover under-eye imperfections. However, what I didn't like about it was that even if I lessened the amount of product I used, it always ended up settling into the fine lines and creases under my eyes. By the end of the day, it also looked a little cakey--not so good for someone that is out of their apartment for the majority of the day!<br />
<b>My recommendation:</b><br />
I did really like this concealer for its coverage and blendability. I didn't like it because of the way it settled and became cakey, but it might just be because my skin is on the oilier side. People with normal/dry skin might fare better with this than I did!<br />
<b>The rundown:</b><br />
<ul><li>Product: 4/5</li>
<li><b> </b>Packaging: 5/5</li>
<li>Quality: 5/5</li>
<li>Overall: 4.8/5</li>
<li>Would I buy this again?: After finding my preferred concealer, probably not, but it doesn't mean it's a bad product.</li>
<li>Where to buy: MAC</li>
<li>Price: $16.50</li>
<li>Pros:<br />
+ Good coverage<br />
+ Easy to blend<br />
+ Packaging</li>
<li>Cons:<br />
- Settled into fine lines and creases<br />
- Looked cakey at the end of the day</li>
</ul>Even though this turned out to not be the product for me, I hope you found my review helpful! If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to let me know.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="border: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Disclaimer: I have not been paid to review the product featured above. I purchased all of the products reviewed in this blog post and did not receive them for free. I ensure that this is my true and honest opinion.</span> </div>Melliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836722361602635171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320672736951241127.post-58592658006534679932011-02-06T16:00:00.001-05:002011-02-25T11:24:19.221-05:0060 Miles in 3 Days...Can I Do It?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/lolananay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/lolananay.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A picture of me with my late grandmother, <br />
Avelina Antonia Vibar-Provido (1930-1991).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Those of you that follow my private Twitter account (@<a href="http://twitter.com/VelociMellie">VelociMellie</a>) or my Facebook might know that I have decided to take on a challenge--I decided to sign up for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure™, taking place in October in Philadelphia.<br />
<br />
For those of you that are unfamiliar with the walk, it entails walking 60 miles (roughly the distance between Atlantic City, NJ and Philadelphia, PA) over the course of three days and camping out each night with thousands of other men and women fighting for the same cause. The net proceeds from this event are invested in breast cancer research and community programs with the hope of decreasing breast cancer incidence and mortality in the next decade.<br />
<br />
As someone that has had various friends and family members affected by this illness, it was really important to me to be a part of it. At the present time, 1 in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer. When you think about it, that really could be anyone. It's not just an illness that mostly older women get, either--more and more younger women around my age and even men are being diagnosed. I just feel that it is so important to work towards improving treatment, finding a cure, and aiding in detection and prevention.<br />
<br />
I attended a Get Started meeting in the city last Wednesday and it was certainly an emotional experience for me. Suddenly the things I complain about seemed so small and inconsequential. For example, some days I wake up tired or I don't feel like going to work or class. But you know what? I'm sure someone with cancer didn't feel like having the illness, but it happened. And I'm sure that chemotherapy and other treatments are no walk in the park, but they endure it. It is really touching to hear about people with illnesses that don't let it ruin their lives and it is really motivating to see the fighting spirit that is in each one of us. 60 miles in just three days is hard, but it's just a couple steps compared to the journey that cancer patients and survivors have to make.<br />
<br />
I have currently committed to raise at least $2,300 in donations by the day of the walk. At the moment, I haven't gotten much response, but I'm hoping that by the end of February, I can have at least $250 in there to get me going! I'm determined to meet my goal at the least and exceeding it would be a dream come true.<br />
<br />
While I do have financial goals involved in this race, I also have some physical goals attached to it. 60 miles in three days certainly did not sound like an easy task. Since the race is in October, I thought I'd use the long time in between as an opportunity to train and prepare myself. It's not "just walking"--it's involves stamina and endurance. I'm proud to say that I'm eating much better than I did last year and I am also getting lots of regular exercise. At the end of January, I had dropped nearly 15 pounds! It's exciting to see my endurance build and I know that if I keep my way on this path, I should be able to last through these 60 miles.<br />
<br />
I'm really looking forward to this walk and I hope all of you don't mind me talking about it every once in a while, haha. I'm looking to make one post at the end of each month with my progress. If you're interested in participating, please visit <a href="http://www.the3day.org/site/PageServer?pagename=homepage">http://www.the3day.org/site/PageServer?pagename=homepage</a> for more information. If you're feeling gracious and would like to make a donation or would like to see the personal page I have set up, please get in contact with me and I can provide more details. Thanks for reading the post and joining me on this journey!Melliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836722361602635171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320672736951241127.post-31328198508933473852011-02-03T10:03:00.000-05:002011-02-03T10:03:00.465-05:00Library: Asian Faces by Taylor Chang-Babaian<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99zj1vrqy4K_39C8Sk-N60BA0bo-y_gQSogo1Ts5FSxmxQvpXYZ-KhAzj-SXhTfGdl_VLLzre_XAlznP0ocbbPDrTaN2FTG9Fp_HAUfnVPowybq87sj-t6Z-qSFaIDTYeATpBXCL509YC/s1600/AsianFaces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh99zj1vrqy4K_39C8Sk-N60BA0bo-y_gQSogo1Ts5FSxmxQvpXYZ-KhAzj-SXhTfGdl_VLLzre_XAlznP0ocbbPDrTaN2FTG9Fp_HAUfnVPowybq87sj-t6Z-qSFaIDTYeATpBXCL509YC/s1600/AsianFaces.jpg" /></a></div><b>Taylor Chang-Babaian (with foreword by Yoko Ono)</b><br />
<b><i>Asian Faces</i></b><br />
<b>$24.95<i> </i> </b><br />
<b> </b> <br />
One of the things that I've really been getting into lately are beauty books, just because I feel like there's a wealth of information that can be gleaned from their glossy, colorful pages. This is certainly true of <i>Asian Faces</i> by Taylor Chang-Babian.<br />
<br />
The book, written specifically for Asian women, aims to address all of their beauty concerns. As a female of Filipino descent, I had always wondered what would look best on me, and as with any makeup addict, I seek to find my holy grail in every makeup category. I believe that with this book, I came a little bit closer to understanding more about my face in relation to those of my Asian sisters.<br />
<br />
One of the things that I liked the most about <i>Asian Faces</i> was that it was very easy to understand. For instance, the beginning of the book included an extensive product guide with information right down to brushes and how to use them. Additionally, I also liked that a face chart using a photograph was included. It definitely came handy when trying to follow the Asian-specific skincare advice and application tips Chang-Babaian gives in the book. Speaking of tips, there were countless tips scattered throughout the book ranging on a variety of different topics--like skincare product ingredients and making eyelashes look fuller. It was great getting the inside scoop from a top makeup artist.<br />
<br />
While the first half of the book discusses products and technique, the second half of the book showcases looks done by Chang-Babaian herself. The looks are all beautifully photographed and I especially liked how pictures of the products in almost a swatch-form were featured. It gives a lot of freedom to use what you have in your stash and makes it easy for you to find something similar. I enjoyed how many of the looks had themes. For example, Chang-Babaian included sections on costume makeup and looks from major American cities. It was amazing to me to see how makeup styles and preferences changed from New York to Miami to Los Angeles. And of course, being a blossoming vintage fan, I had great appreciation for the Asian vintage pinup and 1940s sophisticate looks.<br />
<br />
Although everything is laid out in a way that is easy to understand, beginners might find it difficult to replicate looks in the latter half of the book. Despite being detailed, it is provided in a list format rather than step-by-step pictures. I don't think that this should be too much of a struggle, however. Practice makes perfect and I think that if used in conjunction with other skill-building activities, like watching tutorials or even expanding into other reading materials, even beginners can become more skilled.<br />
<br />
Even though everything was based upon Asian women, I think that I would have benefited from being able to see the different types of Asian eyelids. The book does address this a little bit, but I would have liked to see a photographic depiction.<br />
<br />
All in all, I think that this book was a great read and helped put me in better touch techniques and products that take into account my Asian heritage.<br />
<br />
I hope you found this book review helpful! Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 78%;">Disclaimer: I have not been paid to review the book featured above. I purchased the book reviewed in this blog post and did not receive it for free. I ensure that this is my true and honest opinion.</span>Melliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836722361602635171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320672736951241127.post-74530957301876795922011-01-31T12:00:00.000-05:002011-01-31T12:00:03.183-05:00Review: MAC Pro Longwear ConcealerSenior year for me has been a crazy one. It was difficult for me to juggle the time to make posts and keep up with makeup trends. It's probably not a surprise that MAC's release of their new Pro Longwear line went unnoticed for me. Fortunately, I kept up with my Twitter and after hearing all of the raving, I thought I'd give this a try the next time I was at a MAC.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/macprolongwear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/macprolongwear.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>MAC Pro Longwear Concealer</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>What it is:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">As listed by the MAC website, this concealer is designed to be fluid and lightweight. It dries to a matte finish and claims to last up to 15 hours. It's supposed to be great for covering up dark under-eye circles and other discolorations.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>My Impression:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm sure it's no secret that one of the things I've been struggling with is dark under-eye circles. Be it from a lack of sleep, genetics, or what have you, I have to deal with covering up these circles each day. I have been through a boatload of products, each claiming to do what no other product has done. Well, I never really completely found that to be true--until now. I am absolutely positively in LOVE with this concealer to the point where I am ready to commit to an exclusive, longterm relationship. It is definitely very lightweight--much thinner than foundation. I have found that I only need just the smallest of dots to provide full coverage. I apply it after I have applied my foundation by patting it on with my ring finger and then blending it out with a brush. It blends seamlessly with the foundation, dries matte, and stays put for the entire day. This is the first undereye concealer I have had that hasn't creased and has looked natural enough for my taste.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>My recommendation:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I would surely recommend it to anyone facing similar dark under-eye problems. It not only works, but it lasts! Although it comes with a $16.50 pricetag, I believe it is well worth it because a little goes a long way. That does bring me to my next point. For any of you reading this and believing that it is too good to be true, there is one negative to this product--and that negative would be the packaging. It comes with a pump dispenser and looks like a mini MAC foundation. However, unlike the pump that can be purchased for the MAC foundations, this pump is simply uncontrollable. One full pump will give you enough product to last you the week and even gently pressing it still leaves you in danger of pumping entirely too much. I ended up finding a way to press it so that just enough comes out, but it takes a careful hand. I think that if you can find a way to get past this issue, you should be good as gold!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The rundown:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li>Product: 5/5</li>
<li>Packaging: 2/5</li>
<li>Quality: 5/5</li>
<li>Overall: 4.3/5</li>
<li>Would I buy this again?: ABSOLUTELY.</li>
<li>Price: $16.50 at MAC</li>
<li>Pros:<br />
+ Lightweight<br />
+ Dries matte<br />
+ Looks natural<br />
+ Covers dark under-eye circles<br />
+ Long lasting<br />
+ A little goes a long way</li>
<li>Cons:<br />
- THE PUMP</li>
</ul>Hopefully you found my review helpful! If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to let me know.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="border: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Disclaimer: I have not been paid to review the product featured above. I purchased all of the products reviewed in this blog post and did not receive them for free. I ensure that this is my true and honest opinion.</span> </div></div>Melliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836722361602635171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320672736951241127.post-73846851254990972572011-01-30T18:50:00.000-05:002011-01-30T18:50:49.871-05:00Back in Business!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/welcomeback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff517/LMFAOBeauty/welcomeback.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>Hello, everyone, and welcome back to my blog! I'm sure most of you that followed my previous blog, Princess Mellie's Look Book, are wondering what happened. Well, to make a long story short, a lot! Life started taking the reins and I had to take a little break. I'm back, however, and if you're still willing to read up, I'd love to have you as visitors.<br />
<br />
Some of you are probably asking about the name. Why LMFAO? Why such a strange name? It catches attention, that's for sure, but I thought that as an acronym, it encompassed everything that I was hoping a personal blog would convey--discussions about my life, makeup, fashion, and other beauty-related topics. Furthermore, nothing brightens up a day like a warm smile and a deep, hearty laugh.<br />
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I'm hoping that I'll be able to keep up with this much better than I have in the past--I'm determined to, actually. This year is one to accomplish my goals and I will see to it that I make regular posts throughout the duration of 2011 (and into the future!).<br />
<br />
While we're on the topic of goals, I'd also like to mention that I'm currently in the process of finishing my last semester as a marketing undergrad. I'm working to finish up my classes--including an International Marketing course that will have me traveling to Germany and France! As I prepare to make my way out, I am also looking at either getting my first job or continuing my education with an MS in Marketing Research.<br />
<br />
Many of you that follow me on Twitter or followed my previous blog probably already know that for the past couple months, I've been working a full-time internship with SAP. That kept me extremely busy last semester, especially with the commute that sometimes took me up to 2 hours one way! Additionally, I also picked up a gig as a contributor to a marketing website. Although I'm only working part-time this semester and I'm still busy with school and life in general, I have a little bit more time to devote to making posts here.<br />
<br />
So we'll see where this takes us! I've got a lot of fun and informative posts coming up, so hopefully you stick around to see them. Please let me know if there's anything else you'd like to see or anything like that and I'll try my best to work towards it!Melliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836722361602635171noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320672736951241127.post-63625966794205898102010-06-21T10:10:00.000-04:002011-01-29T11:17:57.250-05:00Meet the Bloggers: The Nail Polish AddictHello, everyone! I thought that I would start a new series on the blog. No word yet as to the regularity, but I've been thinking about this for some time now and I thought that it would be a great idea. Think of all of the blogs you follow. How much do you know about the people that run them? Outside of their beauty preferences and a few random things posted here and there, probably not that much. I thought that it would be a good idea to create a way to get to know some of the bloggers that I (and some of you!) follow. It would be a great way, in my opinion, to learn about someone knew and find a way to get in contact or network with someone that has similar interests as you.<br />
<div></div><br />
So without further interruption, let's get to our very first blogger, Leah from <a href="http://thenailpolishaddict.blogspot.com/">The Nail Polish Addict</a>. I'm pretty sure that the first time we met was on the <a href="http://www.makeupgeek.com/">Makeup Geek</a> forum, where we discussed how to make homemade lip balms. Since then, we've been chatting casually via Twitter and a bit through our blogs. She's really an awesome person with a lot of knowledge about things. I ask a Twitter question and more often than not, she's right there to answer. She even takes the time to explain her findings or experience to me about skincare and haircare. All of this helpfulness doesn't even include the stuff that I get from her blog--which includes swatches, nail designs, and tips. I'd really recommend giving it a visit (let's plug the link in again, shall we? <a href="http://thenailpolishaddict.blogspot.com/">The Nail Polish Addict</a>) if you haven't already! Thanks so much to Leah for agreeing to be featured on the blog!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/princessmellielb/leah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ru="true" src="http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/princessmellielb/leah.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Leah from <a href="http://thenailpolishaddict.blogspot.com/">The Nail Polish Addict</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b>Q:</b> Do you have any nicknames? <br />
<br />
<b>A:</b> Red, Leelee<br />
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<b>Q:</b> Where are you from?<br />
<b>A:</b> Pittsburgh - which I've learned over the years is a beautiful but very twisted city. lol <br />
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<b>Q:</b> What is a typical “day in the life” like for you?<br />
<b>A:</b> Being unemployed gives me plenty of time to do whatever I want to do, so my days tend to be rather low-key. I spend a good deal of time with my pets and dealing with the perpetually dull and boring household chores. I've got a garden that needs daily tending, and I walk my neighbor's dog for her while she's at work. I love living a simple, quiet life. Some might call it boring, but I call it wonderful. =)<br />
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<b>Q:</b> Aside from beauty, what other types of things are you interested in? Have you found that your interest in beauty has made a point of connection with any of these other interests?<br />
<b>A:</b> I love crafts of all sorts, but my favorites are crochet, knitting, and spinning yarn. I also do a lot of reading and I love music. I sing incessantly. I'm not good at it, but that doesn't stop me from doing it. lol Photography is my number one - I've always got a camera at hand. I have actually found that beauty does have a connection with all those things. I can get inspiration for makeup from my photos, the fibers I get to spin into yarn, descriptive passages in the books I'm reading (or the cover art!) and of course music is such an emotional thing it's bound to stir up some inspiration at some point. It works the other way too. I sometimes see pictures of the makeup other ladies have done on their blogs and I'll think about how those colors would pair nicely for a knit or crocheted piece or something else crafty. They're all forms of creativity and self-expression, so I think it's only natural there would be some connections between each of them.<br />
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<b>Q:</b> When did you first become interested in makeup and other beauty products?<br />
<b>A:</b> I've always loved makeup and beauty products! I remember when I was little, like three or four years old, I loved Tinkerbell makeup and beauty products. Those were so fun - everyone bought me that stuff for my birthday and Christmas and I absolutely loved using the lotions and powders every day, and of course the lipsticks and glitter products. I didn't really take a serious interest in makeup until I was about 20; it was then I finally started learning proper techniques and how to apply my makeup well rather than just sort of slapping it on.<br />
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<b>Q:</b> What is your personal philosophy regarding beauty?<br />
<b>A:</b> I think you should just do your own thing and not worry about trends or what experts say. As long as you're happy with your look, that's all that really matters at the end of the day.<br />
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<b>Q:</b> Who or what would you say are your beauty inspirations?<br />
<b>A:</b> Nature is very inspiring for me. There are so many colors, shapes and textures in nature that can trigger creativity and inspire a new look. Celebrities that I think have great style are Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Hayden Panettiere and Selena Gomez. I think they're all beautiful ladies with individual styles and I often turn to photos of them for inspiration.<br />
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<b>Q:</b> What do you believe is the biggest beauty mistake that others could make and/or what are your beauty pet peeves?<br />
<b>A:</b> The biggest beauty mistake is not choosing the right shade of foundation! It just looks silly to me when I see someone with foundation that's glaringly off for their skin tone, be it too light or too dark. My biggest beauty pet peeve is when others are "brand snobs". Just because something doesn't come with a high price tag and a fancy name on the packaging doesn't mean it isn't good quality, and it gets under my skin when people look down on cheaper brands and those who use them.<br />
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<b>Q:</b> How would you describe your signature nail polish design?<br />
<b>A:</b> Simple but fun. I love doing variations on the classic French manicure, and the one I do most often is with a clear base, soft metallic tips and ring fingers and thumbs embellished with a simple flower. I love this design because it's easy to do and it's casual enough for daily wear but also classy enough that it would be ideal for a special occasion too.<br />
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<b>Q:</b> What would you say are your “go to” products and what products are you currently in love with?<br />
<b>A:</b> My absolute must-have is Just For Redheads Mascara Naturelle in Ginger Red for "barely there" makeup days and Ginger Brown for when I do a bolder look. I have tubes of lip balm all over the house, mostly Carmex and Lydia Marie's Bath & Body Boutique. I've always got Tee Tree Oil in my stash as well; it's great for helping blemishes heal a little faster and it helps with dry skin too. For nails, Seche Vite top coat is definitely a must! Some products I'm loving right now are Beauty From The Earth Multi-Use Minerals in Lola, Gentle and Country Blue. For nails my favorites right now are Sally Hansen Continuous Treatment Strength formula, the Milani 3D Holographic collection, Misa "Denim & Lace", and Sally Hansen Complete Manicure "Hidden Treasure". And some general beauty favorites: Suave Professionals Humectant shampoo & conditioner, Beyond The Zone Frizz Zapper, Caress Evenly Gorgeous body wash, Avon Love Blush body creme, and Curve Crush perfume. <br />
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<b>Q:</b> How did you get your start in beauty blogging and why did you choose nail polish as a main focus?<br />
<b>A:</b> I'd already been blogging for a few years about general topics, and makeup was often one of the things I would post about. I realized over time that the posts about nails and makeup were beginning to dominate the blog so I decided I'd make a new blog to dedicate solely to beauty. Nail polish is my focus because it's my favorite. As much as I love other areas of beauty, nail polish is the one thing that I consistently use and never get bored with. <br />
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<b>Q:</b> Do your friends and family know about your blog? If so, what do they think about it? If not, why haven’t you shared it?<br />
<b>A:</b> Oh, they know and they think I'm crazy. They aren't into beauty or the internet the way I am, so they don't really get why I blog at all, regardless of the subjects! <br />
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<b>Q:</b> What type of impact, if any, has running a blog had on your life?<br />
<b>A:</b> I've made some great friends through blogging who I know are going to stick with me for a long time. Friendship is invaluable so that's been a huge thing for me. I've also gained confidence from blogging. I've still got a long way to go where confidence is concerned, but it does always give me a little boost when someone has something nice to say in the comments. <br />
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<b>Q:</b> We all know that you have a blog, but have you already or are you planning to post videos to YouTube?<br />
<b>A:</b> I did have some videos on YouTube at one point, but I decided videos just aren't my thing. <br />
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<b>Q:</b> What advice would you give someone that is looking to start their own blog?<br />
<b>A:</b> Blogging can be frustrating sometimes, especially when you're starting out. Your blog won't be a hit overnight - it takes a long time to gain readers and to get comments so you really have to stick with it and don't give up. You have to remember even if you don't get a lot of comments, that doesn't mean people aren't interested in what you're posting. And we ALL have to deal with people leaving rude comments from time to time - don't ever take those comments to heart because they are not worth it. Delete them and move on, and enable comment moderation if necessary. Most of all just have fun with it. If you aren't enjoying blogging, make the necessary changes so that you do enjoy it.<br />
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<b>Q:</b> What do you think the future holds for you?<br />
<b>A:</b> Hopefully a lot of love and happiness! I'd love to be able to go to beauty school and become a licensed nail tech but we'll have to wait and see what the future has to say about that. <br />
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<b>Q:</b> What would you like people to remember about you the most?<br />
<b>A:</b> That I'm sincere and genuine. I may be a hopeless dork sometimes, but I'm not afraid to let that show because it's just who I am. =)<br />
<br />
Visit her other websites here:<br />
Personal/Random/Photography - <a href="http://shutterbugssanctuary.blogspot.com/">http://shutterbugssanctuary.blogspot.com/</a><br />
Photography Shop - <a href="http://www.shutterbug.winkelf.com/">http://www.shutterbug.winkelf.com/</a><br />
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<div style="border: medium none;">Would you like to appear on the next Meet The Bloggers segment? Please send all interest notices to <a href="mailto:LMFAOBeauty@gmail.com">LMFAOBeauty@gmail.com</a>. I'm looking forward to getting to know you!</div>Melliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836722361602635171noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320672736951241127.post-85511247076547093542010-06-15T11:49:00.000-04:002011-01-29T11:18:30.925-05:00Review: Revlon Photo Ready FoundationFollowing in the trend of the HD and for-photograph foundations, Revlon released a version of their own. Surprisingly, foundation isn't an area in which I've had a lot of product experience. I've really only used a few and my products of choice in the past and thus far have been: Revlon ColorStay, Bare Minerals, Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, and MAC MSFN. Coming out of my Bare Minerals addiction (still love their products--just wanna try something new!), I thought that I'd try going back to liquid foundation. While I did enjoy the coverage that Revlon ColorStay provided, I didn't like the smell and how thick it felt. When I saw Photo Ready while browsing through the drugstore and after getting a personal recommendation from my friend, Iris, I thought that I'd give it a try. (Once again, like with the L'Oreal base, late to get on the bandwagon, but I'm here!)<br />
<div></div><br />
<div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/princessmellielb/photoready.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qu="true" src="http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/princessmellielb/photoready.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Revlon Photo Ready Foundation</b></div><b>What it is:</b><br />
A lightweight, but buildable foundation that includes SPF 20. The formulation is designed to be non-greasy and give a dewy finish. It also smoothes to hide imperfections.<br />
<b>My impression:</b><br />
Many of the reviews that I have read have been positive towards this product. There were some negatives listed, however, like the shimmer that is in this product. Personally, the shimmer isn't blaringly noticeable or off-putting to me. I feel as though every time I've used it, it has given a nice, even, and dewy finish to the skin. Another point that some of the reviews warned about was that those with oily skin might have problems with it. Just like me, the friend who gave the recommendation has oily skin and did not experience problems with it. It was more of a reason for me to try, and after using it several times, I would have to agree. I don't know if it is from the <a href="http://princessmellie.blogspot.com/2010/06/review-loreal-studio-secrets.html">L'Oreal perfecting base</a> or what, but the makeup was long lasting and I did not feel the slightest need to blot until over 8 hours later. I don't know about you, but I like the feeling of being able to and wanting to touch my face at the end of the day. I would have to say that I have definitely fallen in love with this foundation. I found it to be much lighter and more blendable than Revlon ColorStay. I liked that the coverage was buildable and there wasn't any strong scent that I could notice. One of the other things that I really liked about this product was the fact that it came with a pump. I know that was an issue with the ColorStay packaging and I like that the pump minimizes the chances of contamination.<br />
<b>My recommendation:</b><br />
I'm sure you could tell by my impression that I am in love with this foundation, but I think that the best way to find out if it's for you is to try it out. I was under the impresseion that I should stay away from it because of the issues that some people with oily skin have had and because some people found the shimmer very off-putting. However, after giving it a try (it could also be related to the base that I started using), I really loved it and really see myself using this a lot more in the future.<br />
<b>The rundown:</b><br />
<ul><li>Product: 5/5</li>
<li>Packaging: 5/5</li>
<li>Quality: 5/5</li>
<li>Overall: 5/5</li>
<li>Would I buy this again?: Yes</li>
<li>Where to buy: You can purchase it from the <a href="http://www.revlon.com/">Revlon website</a>, <a href="http://www.ulta.com/">ULTA</a>, or from various drugstores.</li>
<li>Price: $12.99 at ULTA</li>
<li>Pros:<br />
+ SPF 20<br />
+ Dewy finish<br />
+ Lightweight formula<br />
+ Not greasy<br />
+ Buildable<br />
+ Blendable<br />
+ Pump packaging<br />
+ Long-lasting</li>
<li>Cons:<br />
- Not as wide of a color choice when compared to ColorStay</li>
</ul>Hopefully you found my review helpful! If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to let me know.<br />
<br />
<div style="border: medium none;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Disclaimer: I have not been paid to review the product featured above. I purchased all of the products reviewed in this blog post and did not receive them for free. I ensure that this is my true and honest opinion.</span> </div>Melliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836722361602635171noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320672736951241127.post-19873265473145824792010-06-15T11:00:00.000-04:002011-01-29T11:18:53.174-05:00Review: L'Oreal Studio Secrets Professional Secret No. 1 Magic Perfecting BaseLate to get on the bandwagon much? This product is one that I've seen reviewed on several blogs--too many to name. Almost all, if not all of them, were very positive reviews that raved on and on about the product. Why didn't I give it a try back when it first started gaining popularity? I was using my own Bare Minerals "regimen" and thought that I would give it a try as soon as I went back to liquid foundation (reviews on this to come today as well, hopefully!). Well, I'm back to it and now I can finally give this a review!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/princessmellielb/lorealbase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qu="true" src="http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/princessmellielb/lorealbase.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>L'Oreal Studio Secrets Professional Secret No. 1 Magic Perfecting Base</b></div><b>What it is:</b><br />
This is a priming base offered by L'Oreal, although I'm pretty sure that it can be worn alone. It claims to give "perfect skin texture" that will happen "instantly" and last "all day." The texture is described as silky and lightweight, making application easy since it just glides over the skin. Another one of its purposes is to minimize the look of pores and fine lines. The result? Skin that is very smooth and has an even matte finish. It is said to benefit all skin types and is non-comedogenic.<br />
<b>My impression:</b><br />
When I first got this product, I was a little wary about the size of the jar. It's a very small jar, probably a little bit bigger than the size of a MAC Paint Pot jar. Since I work every day and more often than not go out on the weekends (and it is my habit to apply a full or mostly-full face of makeup each day), I knew that it was going to get a lot of use. However, after using it a few times and seeing how very little I need, my fears were allayed. All I really needed to do was dab my finger into the jar once or twice and I was good to go. The texture is a little bit thick and gummy, but it's very spreadable once you get it to your face. It is also lightweight and if you don't make the mistake of globbing it on, it shouldn't feel heavy at all. Despite the product being white, it blends into the skin quite well and invisibly. I found that my face definitely became a lot smoother and more matte. I was very impressed at the way that it made my nose and the areas on my cheeks around my nose look, since those are the areas where my pores are most visible. When it came time to apply the liquid foundation (I used Revlon Photo Ready Foundation), it applied very smoothly. Concealer did not crease underneath my eyes as it usually would without a base. My makeup definitely lasted throughout the day and I didn't feel the need to blot until about 8 hours in.<br />
<b>My recommendation:</b><br />
After using this several times, I would have to say that I agree with the raves that everyone was posting. It's a really great product and if someone were to ask for a primer recommendation, I would definitely recommend this to them. As someone that has tried both Smashbox (Photo Finish Light) and Monistat Chafing Gel, I would probably have to say that this primer works just as well. I like that it is about half the price of Smashbox, and if you're bothered about putting something that wasn't originally designed to be a primer on your face, you've got a relatively inexpensive alternative. It says that it can be used alone, but I personally wouldn't--not for any reason other than I just wouldn't, but it can definitely be done. I have only used this with liquid foundation, but I can't imagine why it wouldn't work for creams or powders. All in all? Great product!<br />
<b>The rundown:</b><br />
<ul><li>Product: 5/5</li>
<li>Packaging: 4/5</li>
<li>Quality: 5/5</li>
<li>Overall: 4.7/5</li>
<li>Would I buy this again?: Yes</li>
<li>Where to buy: You can purchase it from the <a href="http://www.loreal.com/">L'Oreal website</a>, <a href="http://www.ulta.com/">ULTA</a>, or from various drugstores.</li>
<li>Price: $12.99 at ULTA</li>
<li>Pros:<br />
+ Evens skin texture<br />
+ Long-lasting<br />
+ Minimizes the look of pores and fine lines<br />
+ Matte finish</li>
<li>Cons:<br />
- At $12.99, it's a little bit pricey<br />
- The jar is a little small for my tastes</li>
</ul>So there's my review of this base for you! I know that I was slow to jump on the bandwagon, but for those of you that haven't tried it yet and are interested, I would surely recommend it. If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to let me know!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Disclaimer: I have not been paid to review the product featured above. I purchased all of the products reviewed in this blog post and did not receive them for free. I ensure that this is my true and honest opinion.</span>Melliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836722361602635171noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320672736951241127.post-12240122124927508462010-06-10T10:24:00.000-04:002011-01-29T11:19:11.223-05:00Review: NYX Slim Lip LinersFor those of you that pay attention to the tags, you may have noticed that this post was tagged under the "5 Favorite Things" tag. It's not a mistake--the reason that I've done that is because that I have reached the decision to discontinue the series indefinitely. I'm sure that my spurts of hiatus from both Twitter and the blog have become evident. Since I started working, I've been a little bit too busy and hurried in the mornings to create anything new and have consequently been sleepily running to my go-to looks. Additionally, since I haven't really been purchasing or using new things, there haven't been all too many things that I'd like to post about. I still plan on continuing the review segments, though, because I really enjoy writing them and I hope that you guys enjoy reading them, too!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/princessmellielb/nyxliner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qu="true" src="http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/princessmellielb/nyxliner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>NYX Slim Lip Liners</b></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b>What it is:</b><br />
This is what NYX brings to the table in terms of lip liners. There are three versions of lip liners that NYX offers--jumbo, slim, and automatic. This review will focus on the Slim Lip Liners.<br />
<b>My impression:</b><br />
For those of you that have been following my blog since its creation in November and were around to read my <a href="http://princessmellie.blogspot.com/2010/01/happy-new-year.html">New Year's Resolution post</a>, you probably remember my resolution to wear lip products. Well, I am proud to say that by using what I had and experimenting with different products, I was able to gain a greater appreciation for lip products. I was experiencing some problems, however, like feathering and creasing. For this, I went to my own personal "beauty consultant," <a href="http://thebeautyinsomniac.blogspot.com/">AIversonBabe</a>, who has always been there to help me with my beauty needs! She suggested to me the NYX Slim Lip Liners, which she compared to the higher-end MAC lip liners. I jumped at this idea, liking that the NYX lip liners were inexpensive and could allow me to develop a feel for lip liners as a whole since I had never used them before. I was a little wary bceause the last NYX liners that I used were eyeliners, which I was not at all fond of because of how hard and difficult to work with they were. I am pleased to say that I really like the lip liners. They're creamy and apply smoothly and evenly. The pigmentation is excellent--not sheer at all and it lasts me all day. As long as I took care to moisturize and exfoliate my lips beforehand, I also found that these don't dry out my lips--very important because that is something that I really struggle with each day. Me and NYX Slim Lip Liners? Match made in heaven!<br />
<b>My recommendation:</b><br />
There is no doubt in my mind that this is an excellent product and I would recommend it in a heartbeat. Nice texture, smooth application, great pigmentation, long-lasting, and non-drying on top of all that? It's hard to believe that a product like this would only be $3.50 (as listed on the <a href="http://www.nyxcosmetics.com/">NYX website</a>), but no complaints on my end! They come in a wide variety of colors and are sold in a vast array of places, so you might even be able to get them cheaper. Definitely great for someone that is relatively new to lip products like me because they are inexpensive, but I feel as though even those that regularly use lip products might love these as well.<br />
<b>The rundown:</b><br />
<ul><li>Product: 5/5</li>
<li>Packaging: 5/5</li>
<li>Quality: 5/5</li>
<li>Overall: 5/5</li>
<li>Would I buy this again?: YOU BET.</li>
<li>Where to buy? My main three sources are <a href="http://www.nyxcosmetics.com/">NYX Website</a>, <a href="http://www.ulta.com/">ULTA</a>, and <a href="http://www.cherryculture.com/">Cherry Culture</a>, but there are a ton of retailers/etailers that sell NYX</li>
<li>Price: $3.50 as listed on the <a href="http://www.nyxcosmetics.com/">NYX Website</a></li>
<li>Pros:<br />
+ Inexpensive<br />
+ Smooth appliation<br />
+ Creamy texture<br />
+ Great pigmentation<br />
+ Long-lasting<br />
+ Wide color offering<br />
+ Non-drying</li>
<li>Cons: (There really aren't any that I can see...)<br />
- You have to sharpen it a lot? Haha.</li>
</ul>Hope you found this review helpful! If you have any questions or want to know any more about this product, please don't hesitate to let me know!<br />
<br />
As a side note, for those of you that haven't checked it out yet, I would really appreciate it if you could help me out with my Eyeliner Experiment. I'm currently looking for eyeliners to test and try. Thanks to everyone that contributed! I really value your time!<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Disclaimer: I have not been paid to review the product featured above. I purchased all of the products reviewed in this blog post and did not receive them for free. I ensure that this is my true and honest opinion.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>Melliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836722361602635171noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320672736951241127.post-8325466691254760532010-06-01T21:13:00.000-04:002011-01-29T11:20:22.596-05:00Library: Making Faces by Kevyn Aucoin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/princessmellielb/makingfaces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/princessmellielb/makingfaces.jpg" width="245" /></a></div><br />
<b>Kevyn Aucoin</b><br />
<b><i>Making Faces</i></b><br />
<b>$21.99</b><br />
<br />
I first encountered the work of the late Kevyn Aucoin while my makeup addiction was still blooming. I was very captivated by it and the creativity was astounding. I was very impressed by the way that this celebrated artist embraced being different. When I saw this book (a #1 New York Times Best Seller, might I add!) in stores, I knew that I had to have it and give it a look.<br />
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For those of you that like photographs, I would have to say that this book is chock full of them. There are a lot of creative shots of models, but also of some of the products that are used. I loved how the shots of the products gave the pages "texture" and interest. Although there are many pictures of products, there are no products that are listed by name. This allows you to use what you want, be it drugstore or high end. It was nice to not feel obligated to run out and buy certain things that weren't already in your collection. <br />
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I thought that the layout of the book was very nice and easy to understand. In addition to the main text, there were also many helpful tips scattered about its pages. The tips not only involved application, but also how to create different shapes, how to choose products, and much more. The language he uses is very easy to understand and you feel like you are reading words by a friend, not by someone that is preaching to you. I thought that the book was less in depth than the Jemma Kidd book, but I think that there is a wider range of topics. For example, I liked that Aucoin spoke about cosmetic surgery, brow shaping, brow bleaching, brow covering, eyeshadow shapes, and lip shapes--just to name a few things.<br />
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Towards the end of the book is a collection of looks that Aucoin has done in the past, ranging from looks that are natural and minimalist to looks that are dramatic and edgy. I truly believe that there is a look for everyone and every mood in there. These looks are explained and illustrated in detail. I also liked that Aucoin included several makeover stories because it is uplifting to really see how makeup can have a positive impact on someone's life.<br />
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Overall, I was very fond of this book as a whole. I learned a lot from it and was very drawn in by the pictures. The only negative I would have say is the way in which some things are explained. For example, in explaining how to replicate the looks, there are drawings rather than photographs. It makes it a little difficult to follow, but at least the text is descriptive enough that you get the gist of things. Most people with a makeup obsession should catch on fairly quickly.<br />
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I hope you found this book review helpful! Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/princessmellielb/siggie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><span style="font-size: 78%;">Disclaimer: I have not been paid to review the book featured above. I purchased the book reviewed in this blog post and did not receive it for free. I ensure that this is my true and honest opinion.</span>Melliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836722361602635171noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7320672736951241127.post-67675431511830253912010-05-15T23:04:00.000-04:002011-01-29T11:20:35.995-05:00Review: My First Lush HaulI'm sure that most of my readers know that I have a fairly active life on Twitter. I also enjoy reading blogs from other enthusiasts like myself as well as those with industry experience. Well, I'm sure you can only guess that it was just a matter of time before I tried Lush products for myself. After all, praise for their products seems to be widespread across the makeup community. I had actually been visiting Lush stores for roughly a year now--probably been inside them maybe three or four times before I actually ended up making a purchase. I originally came in for a lip scrub, and well, I'm sure all my makeup addicts know how it goes: I walked out with much more!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/princessmellielb/sexypeel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/princessmellielb/sexypeel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Sexy Peel Hand and Body Soap</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>What it is:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sexy Peel is a soap that is meant for hand and body use. It is a citrus soap that is recommended for use in the mornings, as its purpose is to refresh and wake up the user. Featured in the ingredient list are: fresh orange, lime, and lemon juice; lime, lemon, and orange peel; and grapefruit, coconut, lime, lemon, and rape seed oil.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>My impression:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">At $5.95/3.5 oz, I had really high hopes for this soap. When I first used it, I found the experience to be quite a lovely one--definitely refreshing for first thing in the morning. I found it to have a nice citrus smell, almost like lemon or lime lollipops or even like lemon cake. I can't say that it didn't give me cravings! The peels in the soap seemed to give it some sort of scrubbing action, but I didn't find it overly harsh. I felt clean afterwards and the scent was absolutely amazing--a must for someone who loves citrus scents like I do! The only things that I didn't like about it was that it didn't seem to last long. I shower every morning and the 1/4 pound bar that I picked up lasted me just a little over a week. Despite keeping it in a place where it was less likely to "melt," it did show a little signs of melting. Though it was refreshing overall, I found it to be just a little bit drying. After I rinsed it off, my skin felt slightly tight.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b> My recommendations:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Overall, I thought that it was a very luxurious soap that left me feeling clean afterward. Because I am very into that citrus smell, I thought that the scent was absolutely fantastic and surely refreshing. I think that I would definitely get it again, but because of the price (and my college student budget!), I would probably just save it for special occasions--like if I was planning on having a relaxing weekend or going on a vacation.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The rundown:</b></div><ul><li>Product: 4/5</li>
<li><b> </b>Packaging: 5/5</li>
<li>Quality: 5/5</li>
<li>Overall: 4.7/5</li>
<li>Would I buy it again?: Yes, but only for special occasions.</li>
<li>Where to buy: <a href="http://lush.com/">Lush website</a> and Lush stores</li>
<li>Price: $5.95 per 3.5 oz.</li>
<li>Pros:<br />
+ Smells great<br />
+ Luxurious<br />
+ Refreshing<br />
+ Rinses clean</li>
<li>Cons:<br />
- Doesn't last very long<br />
- A little bit drying<br />
- Pricier than other soaps</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/princessmellielb/honeytrap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/princessmellielb/honeytrap.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <b>Honey Trap Lip Balm</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>What it is:</b> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Despite having a few tubes of Carmex to use up, this came as an impulse buy as I was getting ready to check out with my Mint Julips and Sexy Peel. I was asked to try it out and was told that it was the store's best selling lip balm and a personal favorite of the sales associate. I found the feeling of it on my lips to be quite nice, so I thought I'd pick it up. Included in the ingredient list are shea butter, olive oil, honey, and beeswax. The main purpose of the balm seems to be to not only moisturize (shea butter and olive oil), but also to hold the moisture in (honey and beeswax). It is also said to have a white chocolate and vanilla taste.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>My impression:</b> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Even though most of you probably know that the cold winter made me a die hard fan of Carmex, I ended up liking this quite a bit. I found it both moisturizing and long lasting. I apply it whenever I feel that I need it throughout the day as well as at night. I find that when I wake up in the morning, my lips feel nice and hydrated I also feel as though the 0.3 oz tin should last me a while, but I do wish that it was in stick form. I prefer sticks to pots because I don't like getting my fingers messy with it afterward! The website says that it should have a white chocolate and vanilla taste, but unfortunately, I was unable to detect this during my use. The scent is definitely something that I think would need a little bit of getting used to. It smells almost like the massage bars that I had sampled in the store...or maybe like sweet Play Doh. I can't quite put my finger on the exact smell. I wouldn't say that it tasted like white chocolate or vanilla. It tastes the way it smells, for the most part, but the taste is very faint. It's not like Carmex, where you can feel like you've licked and entire soap bar a few times.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>My recommendations:</b> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I actually think that, despite the weird scent/taste (very faint and minimal, in my opinion), I really do like this lip balm. It works and it lasts long, two things that are very important in a lip balm since I quite often find myself with dry lips. I think that if you're interested in this product, you should probably head out to a store to check out the smell of it to see if it would bother you, other than that it's great!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The rundown:</b></div><ul><li>Product: 4.5/5</li>
<li><b> </b>Packaging: 4/5</li>
<li>Quality: 5/5</li>
<li>Overall: 4.5/5</li>
<li>Would I buy it again?: Yes!</li>
<li>Where to buy: <a href="http://lush.com/">Lush website</a> and Lush stores</li>
<li>Price: $6.95 per 0.3 oz.</li>
<li>Pros:<br />
+ Moisturizing<br />
+ Long-lasting<br />
+ Doesn't taste as bad as Carmex!</li>
<li>Cons:<br />
- The price<br />
- Smells a little weird<br />
- It comes in a pot</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/princessmellielb/mintjulips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/princessmellielb/mintjulips.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <b>Mint Julips Lip Scrub</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>What it is:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I actually first saw this product on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/whatstyleistonickel">What Style is to Nickel</a> (the specific video can be viewed <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fzn3mqKmrlw">here</a>). He had purchased it from Lush's cosmetics sister company, but Lush decided to continue some of their products after the cosmetics brand shut down. I decided to purchase it because I find that my lips get dried out easily, making lipsticks and other lip products look not so hot. This sugar lip scrub is meant to exfoliate lips, lock in moisture, and protect lips. As the name suggests, it has a minty taste to it mingled with a little taste of chocolate as well.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>My impression:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I really enjoyed using this lip scrub and I felt that it worked very well. I thought that the flavor was quite nice and I enjoyed the tingly feeling that the peppermint oil gave my lips. I also thought that it was handy that you could just lick it off once you were through with it and not have it taste terrible. Even though licking it off is possible, I usually just brush the majority of it off when I'm done with it. Another thing I liked about it was the packaging. It comes in a little jar so it is portable--perfect for tossing into a purse or in an overnight bag. Despite claiming to lock in moisture and protect lips, I found that I needed a little bit more after I was done exfoliating. I always followed this with lip balm and I felt all set.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>My recommendation:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think that this is a great product for those that are traveling or even as something to keep in your purse for when you need it. It can make a little bit of a mess (as in stray sugar on your face, lips, and clothing), but nothing that a little mirror-looking and brushing off won't fix. The flavor is refreshing, but if mint isn't your thing, they also have one that is solely chocolate and one that is also bubblegum flavored. While it doesn't seem to lock in moisture or protect lips as it claimed, I would still say that it was a good product and that a little lip balm will solve the problem.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The rundown:</b></div><ul><li>Product: 4/5</li>
<li><b> </b>Packaging: 5/5</li>
<li>Quality: 5/5</li>
<li>Overall: 4.7/5</li>
<li>Would I buy it again?: Yes!</li>
<li>Where to buy: <a href="http://lush.com/">Lush website</a> or Lush stores</li>
<li>Price: $8.95 per 0.9 oz.</li>
<li>Pros:<br />
+ Effective exfoliating<br />
+ Refreshing tingling feeling<br />
+ Pleasant taste<br />
+ Easy to use<br />
+ Convenient packaging</li>
<li>Cons:<br />
- Doesn't moisturize or protect</li>
</ul>I hope you guys found these reviews helpful! I'm looking forward to trying out more new things and sharing the stuff I've tried with all of you. If you have any comments or questions, please don't hesitate to let me know!<br />
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<span style="font-size: 78%;">Disclaimer: I have not been paid to review any of the products featured above. I purchased all of the products reviewed in this blog post and did not receive them for free. I ensure that this is my true and honest opinion.</span>Melliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12836722361602635171noreply@blogger.com3