~May 2013 Beauty Favorites!~

Hey Everyone!!

May was a great month for new products since I was coming off a April No Buy. lol! It seemed like everything I was picking up was working for me. Check out my May 2013 Beauty Favorites below!

 NYX Super Fat Eye Marker in Carbon Black

 I love liquid liners with marker like or felt tip applicators like Super Fat Eye Marker. Plus, everytime I put it on, it was opaque liquid black, no shaking or no pressing down to get the color to work. It was opaque black liner every usage. The only thing that would make this liner better is that if it was waterproof. Take note NYX!!

 NYX Wonder Pencil in Dark

I purchased this pencil for that "wide eye" look, to use in my waterline. Sometimes the white eyeliner or some of the peach color liners are too light resulting in a weird eye look. Wonder Pencil in Dark suits my skin tone and gives the wide eye appearance as if you have a new waterline! lol! It also doubles as a concealer if needed.

 NYX Collection Noir Powder Brown Liner

Wonder how I ended up with this product? I read "Brown" as " Brow" thinking its a BROW product. Welp, I used it as a brow product ANYWAY!! It is perfect for a soft brow look. I love this product!! It's a powder product so you will have fall out but it easy to clean up afterwards.

 Ulta Amped Lashes Volume + Defining Mascara

I got this mascara in a free with purchase gift and it is actually a really nice mascara!! It has more volume giving qualities than lengthening, so if you are looking for a volume mascara, check out Amped Lashes. 

LA Colors Lipstick in Matte Amethyst and Taupe Envy

I've been spotting new LA Colors products everywhere especially in stores like Family Dollar and Dollar General. But I ran up on a massive display of LA Colors in this huge dollar store in another city that shut it down with the new stuff they have!! I picked up Matte Amethyst, a satiny deep purple and Taupe Envy, a spot on nude lipstick for my skin, for $1 a piece.  Awesome colors and surprisingly long lasting quality. I plan on backing up on the Taupe Envy, it's absolutely sickening!!

So what were some of your beauty favorites last month? I always have a never ending wishlist, so let me know in the comments!!!!

~Swatches + Fresh Coat~ Laura Mercier Summer Nudes Collection 2013

Hey Everyone!!

Just when you thought summer makeup collections could not get any better, Laura Mercier introduced Summer Nudes 2013!! You all know I love neutral palette, nude lips and nude nails. This collection is focused on timeless, classic lips and nails. Here are some deets on Summer Nudes:

Limited Edition Lip Glace:

       Pout
       Pink Diamond
        Bare Baby
 
Permanent Lip Glace:
       Bare Blush

        Bare Beige

       Quartz

 Limited Edition Nail Lacquer:

         Bare Angel

       Bare Rose

        Bare Haze

          Bare Mocha

         Cocoa Suede

          Bare Espresso

 I received to swatch Bare Espresso Nail Lacquer. Its a glossy, deep chocolate shade.

 Also to swatch, I received Lip Glaze in Bare Baby....

 Bare Baby Lip Glace

Bare Baby is a light pink shimmer, great for topping off a lipstick.

Will you be picking up any of Laura Mercier's Summer Nudes???

Disclosure: I was sent these products for review consideration. I was not paid for this post and all views and opinions are my own.

~Review~ Pantene Pro-V Truly Natural Hair Collection....

Hey Everyone!!

When was the last time I done a hair care review? I have locked my regimen down so tight, I forgot how it feels to try something new. I have the ENTIRE collection of Pantene Pro-V Truly Natural Hair Collection to show and give you my thoughts on. But first, let's start with some details on this NEW collection that is available at a mass market/drugstore near you!

Pantene Pro-V Truly Natural Collection 

African American women with natural hair can have a tight curl pattern, making it difficult for the scalp's natural sebum to moisturize the hair. It can also be prone to tangling and dryness. The Pro-V formula offers deep cleansing without stripping away the natural moisture.

 The collection includes a Co Wash Cleansing Conditioner, Deep Conditioner, Shampoo, Styling Custard and Shine Serum.

 Co Wash Cleansing Conditioner

I religiously Co Wash my hair every week. It took me three years to figure out that this method of washing the hair with conditioner helps to maintain moisture for my dry hair. I like the idea of a product that specifically formulated for  co washing and not just using a basic cheap conditioner to do the job. Pantene Co Wash is amazing! My hair felt really soft and oddly clean after using it. My hair was also easy to detangle even before I applied my Leave In Conditioner. This product is definitely going into my washing regimen!

 Pantene Deep Conditioner

Another trick I use to maintain moisture is that I deep condition or "DC" before Co-washing. When my hair is dry, it tends to soak up the conditioner better than when it's wet. I really like this DC because its affordable at under $5 and it works like its four times that amount. I've used the expensive stuff for DC'ing and I couldn't tell any difference from Pantene DC than from a prestige brand.

 Pantene Clarifying Shampoo

I rarely clarify my hair so I was skeptical about the Clarifying Shampoo. I decided to just use it on my scalp since I do shampoo my scalp before Co-Washing. I would say that it does the job cleaning my scalp. I only used it once to clean my scalp and it was ok. The next time I use it, I will try it twice to see if I get that "open" feeling I like on my scalp.

 Pantene Defining Curls Styling Custard

Since I do not do "Wash N' Gos", styling custards are normally not my thing. I do know that a styling custard can be used for twist outs and other styling options, not just Wash N' Gos.  I apply this to my wet hair and twisted it up, sealing it was my Carol's Daughter Mimosa Hair Honey. Then for my leave out, since I wear a half wig, I blew my leave out hair dry and used the custard to flat twist my left over down so it blends into my wig. On my wet hair,when it was dry, the definition was beautiful and on my blow dried hair the definition was great. This a great DEFINING product for those who like crisp twist outs. I will say that because its so creamy and I did seal my hair on top of the custard, it took forever to dry. Be aware of that!!

Pantene Shine Serum with Argan Oil

I wasn't impressed by this product. My hair already has a natural sheen, so I saw no difference in the shine with or without the serum. Pantene could have skipped this product and made a Leave In Conditioner or a Refreshing Spray for the girls who like 2nd hair on Wash N' Gos.

Here is a picture of  my leave out with half wig blending well after using all the Pantene Truly Natural Products!!

Overall....

Buy the Co- Wash, Deep Conditioner and Pudding NOW!! Its Rural Glamour Approved!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

~Bright Summer Polish + Arm Candy!! Featuring mark. Cosmetics Accessories....~

Hey Everyone!!

How about a little candy?

Well sorta of...lol! Along with "arm candy" from mark. cosmetics, I paired two very candy-like nail polishes for a bright, fun summer look. Check it out!!

   mark. cosmetics Bohemian Rocks Bracelet + Kleancolor Reflection Teal Matte Metallic Polish

The blue paired with the cream and gold accents in the bracelet gives a ready for the ocean feel. I'm personally hoping to see the beach this year!

 mark. cosmetics Bohemian Rocks Bracelet

 mark. cosmetics Take Your Time Watch + JulieG Sugar Rush Polish

Teal and orange are a color blocking power combo. Plus the sugar textured polish from JulieG reminds me to stock up on sherbet push pops for me and kids.:)

JulieG Sugar Rush

Want more "candy" duos??? Stay tuned for PART TWO!!!

Disclosure: Some products or items were sent to me for consideration for review. I was not paid for this post and all opinions are honest and my own.

Get Naked!! Best of "Naked" or Neutral Eye Shadow Palettes for Cheap!

Hey Everyone!!

I know I've said this before, but I love neutral eye shadows! Neutral,Nude or "Naked" shadows create so many beautiful looks from day to night. Plus, you can punch them up with the slightest color for a gorgeous look all year around.

I own the infamous Urban Decay Naked Palette( the original). It took me a year of back and forth to get it and its the best $50 I've spent on makeup in YEARS!! lol! There so many great nude palettes with similar color schemes of the UD Naked Palette available in drugstore/mass market stores or online.

Here are some of MY favorite drugstore/cheap brands of "Naked" eye shadow palettes....

 Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips in Nude Eyes

(Found wherever PF is sold)

This palette is all shimmer shadows but the levels are intensity is what makes the palette fun and diverse. You can create a very smoky look or a very light day look for skin color. Here my original review and post on Nude Eyes-----> CLICK HERE! 

 Wet N' Wild Color Icon in Comfort Zone

( Found wherever Wet N Wild is sold)

I love Comfort Zone so much, I've purchased it twice!! This palette not only has beautiful, satiny neutral but a couple beautiful green shades. Plus, I can't tell you how many blog posts and You Tube videos I've seen where someone is comparing most of the shades of this palette to MAC eye shadows. There are some serious dupes in Comfort Zone!!

 Forever 21 Eye Shadow Palette

( found at Forever 21)

I just happen to buy this palette for the sake of fulfilling an order to get free shipping. lol! Its five colors, two mattes and three shimmers, highly pigmented for $2.50. Its still sold in stores and online but just in different packaging. Worth all the change from the bottom of your purse that you spend on it!

 Wet N Wild ColorIcon in I Heart Matte or Drinking A Glass Of Shine

(limited edition but can be found online)

I Heart Matte or Drinking A Glass Of Shine is a mixture of a matte primary colors. I love the whole palette but my favorite side is the matte neutrals which are great for a simple look or pairing with other neutral colors from other palettes. This is a limited edition palette but it can be purchased online. Just use Google and Amazon is a great place to start looking for it.

Hard Candy Top Ten Eye Shadow Collection in Naturally Gorgeous

(available at Walmart)

It took me a while to really like this palette. Some shades are hit or miss with the quality. However, if you are just starting out in makeup or knows a young lady who is just starting out, this is a great starter neutral palette. The colors are not to powerful but are useful in creating pretty looks from simple to smoky.

These are just MY favorites? Did I miss any? What are your favorites? Comment Below!!