Day After Xmas Salezz!!!!!

Hello Beauty Gems!!!!

Happy day after Christmas!! I hope everyone had a great holiday. Well today's the day...after Christmas salezzz are on!!! The perfect time to put the gift cards you received to use. 

One of the big notable ones is Bath & Body Works semi-annual sale!!! I started out early and cashed in on some great deals there.

Specifically, it's great deals on select 3-wick candles, shower gels, lotions, etc. etc. If you're just not in the mood to venture out go ahead and shop online. 

Other stores such as Old Navy, Macys and other big retailers are running huge sales as well. 

Well gems that's all for me today. I'll be working on some blogs to go over my year-end favs and NYE looks...stay tuned.

Until next time..... Happy (Post-Xmas) Shopping!!!!!

Merry Christmas Beauties!!!!

Good morning gems!!! Just want to wish you all a very happy holiday. May you enjoy and appreciate all the love, happiness and joy this season brings!!! 

As you open each gift, remember the meaning of the season and that the ultimate gift is the blessing of friends, family and another day of life to love, laugh and make a difference in this world.

Until next time....Happy Holidays with ❤️

 AngBeauty411

It's Ipsy Time!!! December Bag

Hello Beauty Gems -

Hope you're having a wonderful week so far.  The countdown till Christmas is quickly coming to a close. Christmas is next week!!!  Only a few more shopping days left to get those last minute gifts.  While you're busy shopping for others, it's nice to see that beautiful pink envelope at your door.  That wonderful envelope I'm referring to contains my monthly IPSY BAG...YEEAAAHHH!!!!

This month's bag I truly love....one of my favorites.  So here's the 411 on the goodies for this month....

I'm a lash gal for sure. Just imagine how excited I was when I saw these babies.  Andrea Strip Lashes (#33)!!!  I've tried this brand before and they were pretty good. Perfect for Christmas or New Years Eve.

Also included in this month's bag was this Pop Brighten Up Your Life Eye Shadow Palette in Smokin Hot. Pop cosmetics are sold in Ulta. I've never tried this brand and not 100% crazy about the colors in this particular palette....we'll see how it wears.

I'm also ecstatic about the NYX Lipstick in Muse (LSS589A). I haven't cracked this open yet but from the bottom, this appears to be a beautiful rosey nude color with gold glitter finish.  If you don't know by now, NYX lip colors are very pigmented, long lasting, affordable and just plain GORGEOUS!!! From the looks of it, might be a good lipstick to pair with looks you create from the Naked 3 palette!!!!

Another nail polish in my Ipsy back. Curious to try this one out Starrily in Bzzz Bzzz. This polish is really clear with black and gold flecks of glitter.  Might be very pretty over a nice black or maybe light gold polish. At least it's not a full-size bottle so if I don't like it, it's not a full bottle going to waste.

Lastly, Be A Bombshell The One Stick in Flustered is a pretty red (with some coral undertone) with golden glitter accents. This stick, I'm guessing, could be used as a cream blush and/or lip color.

Overall, very happy with my products. Can't wait to try them out and see.

December Birchbox

It's me again!!!  Just received my December Birchbox in the mail today.  Couldn't wait to share this months goodies with my gems. So without further delay on to the unboxing....

First off let me say just how cute the mailing package is.  I love how everything is so festive with bright, beautiful colors.

They also have the cute box writing (that might lead me to believe the contents may be more of a glamorous/festive theme).

Here's a picture of the box contents before I start digging in.

The first item is The Honest Company Organic Healing Balm. This is a formulated moisturizer for sensitive skin. 

The description on the product says "Soothe, nurture & protect sensitive skin". My thought is maybe this is a high-end, organic moisturizer (a step up from the Curel and Aveeno drugstore products, etc.). I tried this out and the consistency is similar to light petroleum jelly (maybe a watered down version of Vaseline).  Automatically, I assumed this would leave a greasy feel on my hands.  Surprisingly, it didn't.

The smell is not bad BUT not great either.  The scent reminds me of the "      moisturizer" from the November Birchbox. I used a small amount and it seemed to moisturize my hands pretty well.

Next is the Number 4 Non Aerosol Hairspray.  

This products claim "Earth friendly, botanical-rich spray that gives you flexible hold".  Included in my box was the sample 1 fl oz. size; full-size retails for $30.  For that kind of $$$, I really want to see if it truly does what it says. This would be a great product to test out during the warmer months.

Also included was the Manna Kader Cosmetics Sheer Glo lotion in Birchbox Love - A little confused on this lotion as it's supposed to be usable for face and body???  

My confusion comes from looking at the consistency of this product. The texture reminds me a little of the Benefit High Beam.  Not sure how I feel about this........ehhh but we'll see.

A Sample of the Harvey Prince fragrance in Hello was included. 

The fragrance is a very fresh, clean scent.  Described as more of a citrus blend of grapefruit, lemon, etc..  Would possibly make a good spring/summer scent.

Lastly included in this month's box was a Twistband printed hair tie. These are the new (one of a few) hair tie alternatives.  The band is very flexible, enough to secure even the thickest bundle of hair.

Those were the products included in this month's box. Almost forgot....the following was also in the box the Birchbox Digimate.  Not exactly sure how it works.  The instructions just say stick it on your phone, clean your screen, restick and reuse??? WHAT???? I haven't tried it yet but really don't get the purpose of it.  Is it almost supposed to be the bumper sticker version for your smart phone or what??? I'll have to log on to the Birchbox site and see.  The card also advertises the potential 20% off your next order if you download the new iPhone app (code delivered after successful download).

Was really hoping for more considering the nice packaging of the shipping boxes.  Just not really "wowed" with anything this time.  Oh well, we'll see what next month's box has to offer.  Have you received your Birchbox yet?? If so, share what you got and compare notes with me.  I'd love to hear your feedback if you've tried out anything yet.  Just let me know by commenting below.

Until next time gems......Happy Shopping!!!

Tuesday Skincare 101: Final Review - L'OREAL Texture Perfector Serum & Day/Night Moisturizer (Part II)

Hello Beauty Gems -

I hope you're having a fantabulous day!!!  I'm here on the east coast braving the snow and ice (sooo not a big fan of winter; frankly can't stand it).  So onto this week's skincare 101.  First, I wanted to give my final review of the L'Oreal Texture Perfector Serum & Day/Night Moisturizer. I'll also share my current skincare routine that has literally, changed the texture and look of my skin.

First off...Final Thoughts - L'Oreal Texture Perfector Serum & Day/Night Moisturizer

As of today, it's been 2 months since I've been using both products.  I wanted to allow myself another full month to see true results.  For those who haven't seen my initial review on these products, you can check  out my blog post here Tuesday Skincare 101: L'Oreal Texture Perfector Serum & Day/Night Moisturizer (Part I )

My final thoughts on both products as a whole is B+.  I can say with 100% honesty that both products have truly changed the texture of my skin. Specifically, my skin feels smoother, pores are much smaller AND most importantly, less of an oily shine throughout my T-zone.  Granted, I wasn't expecting a full fledged miracle with these products.  However, when it comes to revitalizing your skin to minimize pores, soften skin, etc. etc.that's always a great thing.

Now, as far as my uneven skin tone and helping to decrease dark spots due to hyper pigmentation, etc....not exactly the outcome I wanted.  While I do notice a slight difference in the appearance of my dark spots (a little lighter), the change was not significant.  I can't say 100% that off these products just take more time to get better results or not.  For the time being, I can say that there were only subtle changes noticed.

These product has definitely gotten me on the "serum" bandwagon. Serums are the latest craze in skincare.  Many were developed to be the "skin changing magic" in a bottle. I love them and will continue to use them just not sure if I'll be sticking with this particular brand. Be mindful....serums come with a hefty price tag so sample first (if possible).

I really do love the moisturizer.  Although it comes in a jar, I felt as though I used less (than if it were in a bottle w/pump).  I used it sparingly (as appose to the serum which I ran out of about a week ago).

If you're in the market, give this a try.  Be sure to purchase on sale, if possible AND purchase from a store where they have a good return policy.  If you find you don't like it, make sure you can return the product, hassle free.  You can find both the serum and moisturizer in most major drugstores and Ulta.

The moisturizer will definitely be a repurchase for me; serum I'm 50/50 on, we shall see.  I have some other new products I'm trying out first before making me final decision.  I'll follow up with another review on those soon.

Thank you gems as always for supporting my blog and reading all the good 411!!! Stay in the loop also by following me on Twitter and Pinterest @AngBeauty411. Until next time...Happy Shopping!!!

My Two Cents Holiday Edition - Lorac Rockin Red Hot 3D Liquid Lustre Set

Hello Beauty Royalty!!!

It's been a little while since I've done one but here it is.....another installment of My Two Cents Review!!!  Today, I'm reviewing one of the holiday sets released from Lorac Cosmetics.  Some of you may be familiar with this brand.  For those of you that aren't, here's a little 411:

Lorac Cosmetics was created by Carol Shaw. Carol paved her way in the hair and fashion industries with high profile clientele.  It's then when Carol decided to branch out and create her own cosmetic line.  Her products feature some of the most top quality cosmetics in the industry today.  More recently notably for the last set of released palettes this year:  Lorac PRO To Go, PRO To Go Eye/Cheek Palette, etc. etc.  The list goes on and on.  

As part of Lorac's Rockin' Red Hot Holiday collection, they released the 3D Liquid Lustre Set.

The set includes 3 limited edition and 1 permanent color. They are as follows (in order of swatches from left to right): Diamond (white gold - the only one in this set that's part of the permanent product line), Amethyst (taupe), Platinum (silver) and Topaz (warm bronze).

Here are what the color swatches look like on my fingertips with (indirect and then direct sunlight).

This set retails for $28.00. The liquid lustre's a very versatile in that you can glam up any look by pairing with your favorite lipstick, eyeshadow or blush.  As well, the pigmentation is so good that you wear any of these lustres by themselves. When applied, you only need to use a VERY SMALL amount (I'd suggest 1 droplet).  I just dabbed a little on the back of my hand, then applied to the center of my lids.  I went back and forth to build up the product to my liking.  However,  I never had to retrieve more product from the bottle. 

These dry and set after a minute.  I had no issue with this product smudging once dry.  As well, it didn't feel heavy on my lids (like I didn't add anything additional at all).

Final Thoughts....For $28, this is a great bargain.  These lustre's will literally last you a very long time. Also, it's a nice PLAN B in the event you don't want to add glitter, etc. to spice up your look. This product is available for purchase at Lorac Cosmetics or Ulta stores. A great gift idea for any other beauty enthusiasts you know.

Stay in the know by following me here, on Twitter or Pinterest @AngBeauty411.  COMING SOON....Gift Ideas for the Beauty Divas in Your Life.  Until next time...Happy Shopping!!!!

Tuesday Skincare 101: Ang's Fav Balms and Exfoliators for Lippies

Happy Wednesday Beauty Gems!!!

OK for this week's installment of skincare 101 (a day late), I thought I'd concentrate on the lips.

With the winter season, I have a terrible time retaining moisture on my lips.  The cold weather, for most of us, just seems to try and zap away any moisture our bodies have.  As a result, we seek out products to keep us moisturized throughout the seasons.  Specifically, I have a major issues with my lips.  My lips feather terribly, crack and sometimes peel.  It's a constant battle trying to keep my lips in tact.  To add insult to injury, some of the lipsticks I cherish can really dry out my lips.  Lately, I've been more mindful of that and take extra TLC of my lips.

So in a very long and tedious search, here's some of the lip products I've come across to the rescue. I'll split up my list into 2 categories: exfoliators, moisturizers and medicated balms.

First, let's start off with exfoliators:

Exfoliators

Tarte Maracuja Lip Exfoliant - My lippie gem to the rescue.  This was discovered during one of Ulta trips.  Use this scrub to shed dead skin from your lips. The refreshing but subtle minty smell makes lip exfoliation an easy task. My lip exfoliating routine.  Although this retails for about $13, it's SOOO worth the cost. A little product sheds away traces of dry, cracked skin. I also noticed this helps with decreasing the peeling on my lips. One of my 2013 holy grails!!!

Fresh Sugar Lip Polish - Very similar to the Tarte exfoliant;  this lip polish gentle removes the dry, cracked skin and leaves you with soft, moisturized lips.  The brown sugar based product has a wonderful smell and leaves you wanting to exfoliate your lips again and again.  I love this brand and Tarte just the same.

E.L.F. Studio Lip Exfoliator - For the beauty bugeteer, this is inexpensive product that does work well. I started using this back in the summer. For only $3, a great option to shed dry, cracked skin from your lippies.  The only thing I wasn't too crazy about was that the stick started to dissemble when I got to the bottom of the tube.  Otherwise, this is a product I keep in rotation in my beauty box. 

Medicated Balms

Maybelline Baby Lips Dr. Rescue Medicated Lip Balm - Many of you know how wonderful these balms really are. For those who aren't familiar, Maybelline released a line of lip balms called baby lips. The original baby lips were formulated to moisturize lips, provide sun protection with SPF (in some balms not all), Maybelline has since expanded this line to Baby Lips Electro (for more color payoff) and now this year Dr. Rescue Medicated Lip Balms.  These balms are wonderful for protecting and moisturizing the lips all year long.  The medicated balms are perfect for when you need a 911 rescue for lips that are dry and cracked. They feel absolutely wonderful (you'll just want to keep applying it all day long).  Available in 6 different shades and retailing for about $3; an essential in your bag/purse.

EOS Smooth Sphere Lip Balm - EOS (aka Evolution of Smooth) is a brand known mostly for lip balms but also manufacture other skincare products.  I love this little oval-shaped balms to pop in my purse.  They are great on the go for providing that layer of moisture and/or medicated TLC for your lips.  An added bonus, they come in a variety of scents to suit your personal needs/preferences.Each balm retails for about $2.50 - $3 each and they last 4EVERRRRR!!!  The medicated orange is great!  Has a wonderful citrus smell, just the right amount of meds to treat my lip emergencies without going overboard.  Some brands I've tried treat your lips but do way too much (to the point where my lips become sensitive....UGHHH HATE IT).

Moisturizing Balms

EOS Smooth Sphere Lip Balm - My absolute FAV FAV FAV from this brand is the Honeysuckle Honeydew.  I literally use this EVERY single day.  One stays on my night table on a regular basis.  As soon as I remember to pick up more, I'm keeping one in my car; the other in my purse makeup bag.  This particular one just does it for me.  It's keeps my lips soft and moisturized without any of the medicated stuff I don't need at the time.  Whenever I exfoliate my lips, if the E.L.F. lip balm is not near me, I'll quickly grab for my EOS. 


E.L.F. Essential Lip Balm Tint - Another 2013 Holy Grail!!!! E.L.F. debuted these gems this summer and they are WONDERFUL!!! What can I not say about this product....just overall an awesome product. In short, here's what makes this so great:

• Affordable - Only $2 each!!!
• Moisturizing
• Versatile

For those reasons alone, I will repurchase these over and over again.  The Nude and Berry colors have a nice pigmentation so you can wear them alone.  Although I'm not crazy about lip balms in pots, the positives just make these great regardless. All you need is a small lip brush (which FYI...E.L.F.  has a great retractable lip brush for only $3)!!!  These are a MUST HAVE. 

There are other products I adore.  However, I wanted to keep my list of favs short and sweet.

Here's some other tips to remember when caring for your lippies:

• DRINK PLENTY OF WATER!!!!!  I really am one of those people that hate hearing that...however it's absolutely true. Water keeps you hydrated and also helps your skin retain moisture. Soo with that said, your lips are a delicate set....water is just as important to them as it every other part of your body.  I can actually tell now when I haven't been drinking enough water (more apparent in summer months).

• NO BITING -  Many of us have a bad habit of biting are lips when we're anxious, excited, etc. etc. Though it seems harmless, it could really create a problem. Biting your lips can remove skin that may have otherwise just been dead skin shed away by a good lip scrub.

• THAT INCLUDES LICKING TOO....Licking your lips can take away the moisture and dry them out...quickly.   This can cause, but not limited to...dryness, cracking or worst....skin to split...YIKES!!!! My beauty gems don't need that!!!

That's all for this installment of my Tuesday Skincare 101! Be on the lookout for a special Tuesday Skincare 101- Final Thoughts on the L'Oreal Skincare products I've been using. As always and until next time....HAPPY SHOPPING!!!!

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette & Cyber Monday Steal Deals

Hello Beauty Gems!!! Happy Cyber Monday!!! Hope you're enjoying some additional shopping deals online today. I can honestly say I'm a little shopped out (for the time being at least 😃). 

Received word that Urban Decay Naked 3 palette is back in stock. Get it fast...this will surely sell out again. If you miss out, the N3 palette will make its debut in Ulta and Sephora stores within the next week so keep your eyes peeked!!! 

I'll be headed to the store to pick up this beauty as soon as it's available!!  

Also be sure to check these retailers and their amazing Cyber Monday sales....

Sigma Beauty - 20% off select items

Ulta - Bonus Online coupons - $10 off any $50 purchase; 25% off The Body Shop products

Sephora - Mystery Bag Mania (5 free surprise samples using code SUSPENSe w/$25 or more purchase; free shipping w/$25 or more purchase using code SHIPNOW

There are many many more. I'll share separately in another blog post shortly. That's all for now, until the next holiday installment... Happy Shopping!!!!