The Luxe List: QVC Beauty Christmas Advent Calendar

So my discovery of probably the most fun holiday beauty gift this year began when I got my Goddaughters advent calenders. My thought was that selfishly they would have to think of me once a day for 25 days- I like to be on their minds, since they live out of state;) Then I saw Benefit's Countdown to Love Calender & thought why not get their mom an advent treat, too! Unfortunately it was sold out everywhere I checked.

So imagine my delight when I spotted QVC's very own Beauty Christmas Advent Calender online. Yes, it's a bit pricey at regularly $96. However, it's at an event price now of $78.96 & this sucker is huge! It's substantial in size & makes a great impression straight out of the box.

It honestly took a lot of strength not to keep it for myself. It was so tempting to sneak a peek into the numbered doors, but I quickly wrapped it. I think it's just a fun way of transfering that holiday childhood delight to us adults. My Bestie promised she would text me a pic of her beauty treat everyday so I can live vicariously through her (hint hint Santa.)

I actually think this offering is even better than Benefit's in terms of gift giving, because it features so many different brands: Bliss, Fresh, Ole Henriksen, Philosphy, Dr. Perricone, Dr. Denise, Nick Chavez, Stila, Tarte, Mally, Julep- the list goes on & on! Great for sisters, besties, daughters- I wanted to give you as much time as possible in case you wanted to grab one for gifting & send it on its way. Can you believe December is going to be here in a few days!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

It Cosmetics' Your Most Beautiful You Collection

I love discovering indie brands, it's like discovering buried treasure. Before lines like Bare Escentuals & Kate Somerville were well recognized brands I had been working with the products for years. It Cosmetics is one of those brands to watch- if you're not familiar with them, you soon will be. Having met the founder & president, Jamie Kern a few times makes me happy for her- as she's a doll. This Saturday they're unveiling a new lipgloss launch(& my Beauties know how I love some lipgloss) which is included in their TSV for QVC.

The kit includes one of the two cult favorite products that first landed It Cosmetics on the map, Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer. It's a full coverage, yet non cakey under eye concealer that boasts some serious skin care benefits. You only need a tiny bit of Bye Bye Under Eye its coverage is so good- the jumbo sized tube in this kit will last you eons. 

The other product that help build their brand was their original universal brow pencil. Well meet the upgrade- their YBBB Brow Pencil (Your Brows But Better.) This one actually is formulated to condition the hair & stay put.  I love the super skinny pencil which helps mimic actual strands of hair for natural looking coverage.

This TSV marks the debut of It Cosmetics' Vitality LipFlush Hydrating Gloss Stain. In the tube, the Je Ne Sais Quoi looks milky white & very light. When swiped on it gains intensity.

On super lazy days, I always tell clients as long as your skin is good condition & brows are groomed you can get out of the house with lipgloss & mascara. LipFlush develops into a lovely pink on my pucker that wakes up my entire face without being overpowering. Unlike some stains that feel drying or even crumbly in texture, this is a hybrid gloss stain infused with 9 types of butters & oils that feels very moisturizing on throughout the day.

Hello Light Anti-Aging Creme Luminzer rounds out the stellar line-up of products. I dab this highlighter above the bow of my mouth & the outer corners of my lower lip for some lift. It looks lovely on the collarbones, as well. For brightening & concealing of my hyperpigmentation on my cheek bones- I sometimes blend the Bye Bye Under Eye & Hello Light using the Heavenly Luxe Airbrush Foundation/Concealer Brush to apply. Speaking of heavenly- if you haven't tried It Cosmetics brushes- they're divine. As a professional make-up artist, I have some brushes in my kit that cost close to $100 on their own. TWO amazing tools of the trade are included in this collection. Hop over to QVC tomorrow & ask for item no. A235134- it will be at a one day price of $59.96. Happy weekend Lovelies.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

It Cosmetics

Earlier in the month, QVC hosted a charity fundraising event for Cancer and Careers. All proceeds from the 2 hour show packed full of beauty treats went to this amazing organization that helps those struggling with cancer continue to work & live their lives to the fullest extent.

Always up for a new make-up product while giving back,  It Cosmetics Luxe Performance Eyeshadow Palette with 12 eyeshadows caught my 'eye' so I scooped it up. What drew me to the palette was the added bonus of the shadows being infused with their Age Reverse & Prevent Complex. The eyes are definitely a worry for me when it comes to aging- I would say they're my main concern besides hyperpigmentation.

What the complex offers is skincare benefits like hydrolyzed collagen along with vitamins A, C & E  melded together with the pigments. There are what I consider 3 cooler toned shadows beginning at the top, 5 warmer toned shadows following those & then 4 definer shadows. Even just brushed dry on my arm, these four definers at the bottom pack some punch! When wet or using a transforming liquid they become even more opaque & intense.

For a soft day look, I used Earth Angel on the inner lid, Romance on the outer lid, then went with Cashmere & Satin Sunshine on the brow bone.

I finished off the look by using Jet Black smudged along the lash line with a dollop of that Azure cobalt blue to brighten, as well. You can really be a mixologist with this compilation & it's a great value with the shadows coming in at right around $3/each!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

Sunday Sneak Peek: It Cosmetics

You're seeing it here first Beauties! A special collection from It Cosmetics called Hello Beautiful that will be at one day only price tomorrow March 18th on QVC!

I love the girls over at It Cosmetics & they have put together an awesome kit. Let's start with their new Celebration Foundation (available in 5 shades.) I'm someone who exfoliates all the time- every now & then that means some flakiness. This powder is hydrating enough that I can still use it after overdoing it with retinol the night before & not look cakey. It's hydrating & antiaging- yes, please! And let's not forget about the brush. If you've never tried It Cosmetics' brushes, then you're missing out. Pure plush luxury- they're seriously a treat for your face. 80,000 hairs are packed into this one, named the Heavenly Luxe Buffing Airbrush, alone! That means you can build some serious coverage & your face is having a mini vacay while you're doing it.

 The Vitality Flush 4 in 1 Reviver Lip & Cheek Stain Stick in Je Ne Sais Quoi starts out as a clear hydrating balm that you can apply to your cheeks or lips for this 'I just came out of the cold' healthy pinky flush. It's the easiest pick me up when you're feeling pale.

Mascara is a must. It's definitely definitely one of my top 3 must have products I would need if I was stranded on a desert island. I'm sure a lighter & wine would be included in my survival trio, as well- but so would beauty products! It wakes your eyes up, opens them & lifts them. As a professional make-up artist one of my tricks is to at the end of application, hold the brush vertically & apply the tip of the wand to the outer lashes for a doe eyed look. Jamie, the brains behind It Cosmetics, created a brush specifically to do that! Genius.

Here's a close up of my peepers from my bathroom, so excuse the lighting. The lash primer features the most fabulous skinny brush & dark product. The tiny brush gets right to the base of the lashes with ease. Plus I don't know why all lash primers aren't dark- who wants white product on their lashes?!?

Here's a side shot featuring the Celebration Powder Foundation in Fair applied with my Heavenly Luxe Buffing Airbrush and the Tightline Full Lash Length Black Primer topped with the Hello Lashes Mascara.  This collection is a great way to discover some of this up & coming brand's best offerings at an amazing value- I say scoop it up!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

Must Have Make-Up Monday: It Cosmetics

With the weather being all over the place, the bracing winds & my allergy medication have left my lips a chapped, hot mess.  Always a fan of multi-tasking beauty products, I've been reaching for It Cosmetics Vitality Lip Flush Butters a lot. The butters feel just like you guessed it, absolute butter on the lips. They're packed with nourishing ingredients like plum oil, argan oil, jojoba, cherry oil & antioxidants to help actually heal your lips- not just 'gloss' over the problem.  There are 3 shade options & all of them are sheer wearable offerings.

 Pillow is the most neutral & the one I reach for every morning. It's that soft pinky nude lip I adore.

 Darling is a pretty pop of pink- the perfect pick me up during these long winter months when you're feeling so pale you could have been an extra in the Twilight series.

 In Love, the deepest shade- the one I thought would be too far out side of my comfort zone has been a pleasant surprise.  Here it is with a soft application, though you can easily build the intensity. It's lovely & again ever so sheer, so that even the fairest of complexions will feel comfortable wearing it. Another plus worth mentioning is the slimline tube- they will fit in the tiniest of pockets or purses! They retail for $20 a tube or you can scoop them up over at QVC, where you can get all 3 tubes for under $36.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

*Items gifted for review

New Beauty, New You QVC Event

If you're anything like me during awards season you inhale the beauty & fashion that surrounds us. I like to watch the red carpet & just absorb everything before the actual awards show even begins. Even as a professional make-up artist & esthetician I love watching other experts in my field.  When you're passionate about something, you always want to learn more.  So a new countdown begins, starting at 11:00 PM this evening I will be in my comfy pjs, with a glass of vino in hand watching QVC's New Beauty, New You 25 hour beauty event.  Yes, I'm telling myself I will show some restraint! However, I already have my eye on this Vitality Lip Flush Lipstick Butter Trio from IT Cosmetics, because my poor pucker could use some serious hydration this time of year. I love cosmetics that also offer skincare benefits.

Speaking of hydration, now that I'm adding color into the equation of blow drying & flat ironing- my hair has been looking a little thirsty as of late. Wen's Trio of Treatment Oils for hair & skin has my name written all over it!  

Keep a look out for my much adored Mally of Mally Beauty to be making an appearance featuring some new sets, too- like this Gorgois In a Minute Color Crayon Collection. Lately I've been all about chubby make-up pencils, I call them my lazy beauty essentials they're so easy to use. Perfect for Sundays, when you're lacking motivation to get pretty;) This cute collection has your whole face covered in one kit! Take a look here at all the loot QVC is offering for the event, tell me what's on your lust list?

Peace. Love. Lipgloss.

Lately, I am surprised to say I have been rather unimpressed with gifts with purchase. {Check out the window for pigs flying!} Yes Clinique & Lancome & all the big brands have theirs down, but I'm often uninspired. Though this make up case is not really my style, I'm sure my 7 year old niece will swoon over it!{Bonus points for favorite Aunt will also accrue.} But it's always inside that counts- yes? This latest offer from Beauty.com is jammed packed with deluxe sized samples, just how mama likes them! Stila, Tarte, Urban Decay & It Cosmetics just to name a few of the brands! If you know you need to stock up on your essentials- now's the time to do it as this gift is yours with any $100 purchase.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M