Aquataenia​: First Look

Aquataenia Palette ($34.99 at Lime Crime) is pearlescent and makes your eyelids sparkle like the sea. Five oceanic shades are loaded with shimmer & glitter particles to create that wet, glistening effect reminiscent of a mermaid's tail under the moonlight. Can be used on eyes or cheeks. Arrives encased in a deluxe purple tin.

Shades:

Nautilus Prime – blurple (shimmer/sparkle)
Coral of the Story – true coral (shimmer/sparkle)
Seahorse Discourse – tropical green (shimmer/sparkle)
Pearl-ple – pearlescent lilac (shimmer/sparkle)
Atlanteal – seafoam blue/green (shimmer/sparkle)

Summer Makeup Tips from WHAT NOT TO WEAR’s Carmindy

TLC’s hit series What Not to Wear draws on the personality and talent of fashion experts Stacy London and Clinton Kelly to convert participants from dowdy to dashing. But, hairstylist Ted Gibson and makeup artist Carmindy add the finishing touches that complete the change.

Aside from all of the fabulous clothes, hairstylist Ted Gibson and makeup artist Carmindy are transforming these hidden beauties into glowing gems! Every week on What Not To Wear, they offer their clients advice on what looks fit them best, giving them the top beauty tips to help complete their transformations. Now, Carmindy and Ted are offering tips for your readers! Ted and Carmindy have a plethora of tips available for your readers, ranging from top hair and makeup trends for summer to how to keep your skin and hair looking young and fresh.

Ted has styled the locks of Anne Hathaway, Renee Zellweger, Zoe Saldana and the fashion houses Chanel and Prada, just to name a few. Meanwhile, Carmindy has worked for several renowned publications such as InStyle, Elle, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Self, Vogue, GQ, Essence, and Details.

Summer Makeup Tips from WHAT NOT TO WEAR’s Carmindy

In hot weather, switch to powder shadows and blushes that won't melt off your face like creams will.

Use waterproof eyeliners and mascaras to keep from smudging in hot weather.

Keep tinted lip balm with SPF handy to keep lips moist and soft in the heat.

Add a few drops of liquid bronzer or a foundation a few shades deeper to your usual foundation to match your new (self-tanner) skin tone.

Keep blotting papers handy at all times to absorb oil and shine.

Stay away from dark eyes and lips and opt for corals and pinks to play up tanner skin.

To apply powder bronzer correctly sweep it on the temples, along the sides of the face and under the cheekbones for a faux glow that natural contours your face.

How Your Tan Affects Your Brows

All summer long, women work to perfect their tans. However, with a new skin tone comes a new beauty regimen; adjustments must be made to sport your signature look. Here, Natalie Plain, founder of Billion Dollar Brows and brow guru, shares the most common eyebrow challenges when it comes to tanning, and offers her solutions.

Spray Shape Dilemma

In the summer, many women make it their personal goal to get as bronzed as possible. If you are planning a day of beauty complete with a spray tan and a brow shaping session, it might be best to think twice and schedule them at least a day apart. Natalie explains, "Spray tans can take up to 24 hours to develop. If you get your brows waxed while your spray tan is setting on your face, it will exfoliate the skin and, in turn, remove the color you applied with your spray tan. I learned this lesson many moons ago the hard way when I tanned for a family wedding and had my brows shaped right afterward. I looked really silly, I don't put those wedding pictures on the mantle!"

Dye Job

Another common issue during the summer when tanning is that hair can lighten and change. What happens if the hair on your head gets lighter, but your eyebrows maintain their original hue? Natalie suggests tinting your eyebrows so that the color is one shade darker than your hair color. “If the hair on your head appears lighter due to your darker skin tone, think about tinting your eyebrows so that they compliment your hair color.” Be sure to seek professional help!

Zebra Syndrome

Many women find that their skin appears to be two different tones when they go on a vacation or a tanning spree and then get their eyebrows done. To aid in keeping the face one color, Natalie recommends using bronzer to fill in the gaps: “Exfoliate the portion of your skin that is not tan, and apply moisturizer. Use bronzer or sunless tanner to blend your skin tone in short, measured amounts. Allow for a little time for your skin to balance out.”

Spray Tan Obstacles

When using synthetic tanning options, there can be certain unwanted effects on eyebrows. For instance, many women report that spray tanning gives their eyebrows a reddish tint. Natalie explains, “The chemicals in spray tan sometimes stick to hair, which is why most women use coverings to protect the hair on their head. Try to avoid color issues altogether by applying Vaseline beforehand, or when spray tan particles stick, simply exfoliate or apply lemon juice to remove.”

Getting Beach Ready with Nivea and Giveaway

Prize: One winner will receive a Beach Prep Kit, which will include NIVEA Honeydew & Pearls Hydrating Shower Gel, NIVEA Skin Firming Body Lotion with Q10 and Hydra IQ, NIVEA Sun Kissed Radiant Skin, NIVEA Kiss of Protection Lip Care, and Lulu Neon Barrel Duffel Bag.

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I'm strongly adamant about taking care of my skin, so I naturally jumped at the opportunity to review the new products from Nivea. Not only are their products relatively affordable, but they are one of the fewer brands on the market that actually address a myriad skincare woes, namely dry skin. It's one of my mother's go-to brands, and I can easily see why!



NIVEA Honeydew & Pearls Hydrating Shower Gel ($5.99) - Featuring a succulent scent of freshly cut honeydew from Southern France and moisturizing sunflower oil pearls, this shower gel foams up beautifully. Not only it thoroughly cleanses the skin, but gives it the moisture that it craves. It's the perfect shower gel for you to look and feel ready for hitting the beach or poolside.



NIVEA Skin Firming Body Lotion with Q10 and Hydra IQ ($9.99) - A strong advocate for a good moisturizer, I quickly fell in love with this body lotion. Sure, it smells good (a pleasant floral scent), but most importantly, it leaves the skin feeling soft and supple. My skin immediately drinks it up, not leaving a trace of stickiness or greasiness.



Lulu Neon Barrel Duffel Bag ($26 at Nordstrom) – Nothing screams Beach Ready! louder than this fun, vibrant duffel bag. It makes the perfect carryall for your essentials, such as a SPF lip balm and sunscreen, while you stroll along the shoreline. It has a cool barrel shape and bright zigzag handles. Also, the removable crossbody strap adds versatility to the style.



NIVEA Sun Kissed Radiant Skin with Hydra IQ ($9.99) – They promise that this product will provide glowing, natural looking tan and soft, touchable skin within 5 days. It is currently available in two shades: Fair-Medium and Medium-Dark Skin. I'm honestly not much of a fan of sunless tanners, so I haven't been able to put this product to a test.



NIVEA Kiss of Protection Lip Care SPF 30 ($2.99) – The day that you see me without any lip care is the day that pigs will fly and cows will jump over moon. This lip balm offers superior protection (SPF 30) from the damaging effects of the sun and gives long lasting moisture. It is enriched with Shea Butter and Vitamin E, making it lip-smacking good!

Disclosure: The product(s) in this review was provided to the reviewer for keeps and the purpose of writing a review. This in no way effects the quality of the review provided. No monetary exchange occurred in exchange for the writing of the review. The views expressed in this review are strictly that of the reviewer. All reviews provided here are the work of the reviewer and remain completely unbiased.

The giveaway will conclude on July 5th.

Too Faced Fall 2012 Collection

Too Faced recently launched their Fall 2012 Collection, The Art of Sexy! The collection includes their 3*Way Lash Liner, 16 luxurious shades of La Creme Lipstick, Perfect Lips Lip Liner, 3 new shades of Perfect Eyes, and the much anticipated return of their NEW and improved Lash Injection! Also, much buzzed about Better Than False Lashes is now available on TooFaced.com.


La Creme Color Drenched Lip Cream $21
Available in Sweet Maple, Honey Bear, Naughty Nude, In the Buff, Nude Beach, Naked Dolly, Spice Spice Baby, Cinnamon Kiss, Marshmallow Bunny, Razzle Dazzle Rose, Juicy Melons, Divine Wine, Fuchsia Shock, Coral Fire, Stiletto Red, or I Want Candy


Better Than False Lashes Nylon Lash Extension System $35


3*Way Lash Lining Tool $22


Perfect Lips $17


Lash Injection Extreme Thickening, Tube-Building Mascara $21

Metropolis Soap Company Review

Metropolis Soap Company uses simple ingredients. First they select 100% vegan oils like vitamin-rich coconut oil, luxurious sunflower oil, and moisturizing shea butter, which all are a part of their time-tested recipe. They choose their oils for their skin-loving properties, as well as their ability to create a hard, durable soap that will last. Next the oils are mixed with a carefully measured amount of distilled water and sodium hydroxide, which causes the chemical reaction that makes soap! The oils and water are blended together and once the ingredients have officially made soap they add their own specially formulated essential oil blends. These blends are created for their aromatherapy properties as much as their scent abilities!

A good body scrub is essential for any skincare regimen, because it's a great way to banish dead, dry skin. It also effectively gets rid of skin gunk, such as dirt and other nasties that may be lurking within your skin. Metropolis Soap Company's Balsam of Peru and Pumpkin Sugar Scrub ($37) will keep your skin feeling utterly soft and supple. The Pumpkin is superfood for the skin, because it has a chock full of enzymes and vitamins A, C, and E, which offers superior protection and nourishment for the skin. Balsam of Peru essential oil complements the pumpkin with a little vanilla spice.

They give a fair warning that this product may melt when shipped to warmer climates. I also must note that you might want to keep this product in the fridge, because it got moldy within a few weeks! I have never experienced this with a body scrub before, but it makes perfect sense, considering that this product is made with all-natural ingredients.

As soon as I took off the lid, the scent of the Calendula and Citrus Herbal Spa Soak ($34.99) filled the air and eased away negative thoughts. The soothing and relaxing ingredients are Calendula, Spearmint, Essential Oil Blend of Lemongrass and Orange, and Lemon Peel - a perfect morning booster! Not only these ingredients promote relaxation and uplift the spirits, but they're also good for toning the skin and aiding detoxification.

Their herbal bath salts are also available in Rose, Jasmine, and Ylang Ylang, Coconut and Lime, and Juniper and Herbs - all are $34.99 for each. Also, each herbal spa soak comes with a muslin bag, making it easier to enjoy your spa-ah experience without making a mess in the process.

Disclosure: The product(s) in this review was provided to the reviewer for keeps and the purpose of writing a review. This in no way affects the quality of the review provided. No monetary exchange occurred in exchange for the writing of the review. The views expressed in this review are strictly that of the reviewer. All reviews provided here are the work of the reviewer and remain completely unbiased.

Neocell's Blueberry Hyaluronic Acid Liquid Review

Neocell is dedicated to providing premium collagen peptide-based dietary supplements for skin, connective tissue and joint health for consumers worldwide.

Neocell started in 1998 in Newport Beach California with an extraordinary personal experience. After major surgery, the benefits of collagen were so powerful for one man, Al Quadri, that he was inspired to start a company, in the hope that he could help others with this amazing ingredient. And so Neocell was born, as a small, research grounded family owned business that had the goal of introducing to the world the anti-aging and overall health benefits of a naturally-sourced collagen based supplement line.

The Neocell family has grown over the years, and they are proud to say that millions of customers have experienced these benefits and are living healthier lives because of doing so.

There's nothing more beneficial for one's health than a bowl brimming with freshly plucked blueberries. The benefits of blueberries are more than just antioxidants. They aid in reducing belly fat, promote a healthy urinary tract, preserve vision, starve cancer cells, improve digestion, make an excellent anti-depressant, and address a multitude of concerns and illnesses.

The Blueberry Hyaluronic Acid Liquid gives your skin and joints the moisture that they crave for, while giving an antioxidant boost with additional benefits from pomegranate and green tea. With green tea in the mix, the health benefits include: anti-inflammatory effects, potential delay or prevention of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases as well as assistance in lowering LDL cholesterol, increased fat metabolism, and diabetes prevention.

I honestly haven't noticed a significant difference in my health or skin since I started taking this liquid supplement. However, I still start out each morning by taking one tablespoon. The benefits are probably just not noticeable....yet. It is slightly tart, but I find the taste to be quite pleasant, a far cry from my organic pre-natal liquid supplement that I also take everyday. If the tartness throws you off, you can easily add a tablespoon to just about any beverage, such as juice.

You can buy the Neocell products at Drugstore.com, Amazon.com, and GNC.com.

Disclosure: The product(s) in this review was provided to the reviewer for keeps and the purpose of writing a review. This in no way effects the quality of the review provided. No monetary exchange occurred in exchange for the writing of the review. The views expressed in this review are strictly that of the reviewer. All reviews provided here are the work of the reviewer and remain completely unbiased.

Skinnygirl's Detox Face Mask Giveaway

Prize: 3 winners will receive Skinnygirl's Detox Face Mask.

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Only a couple years ago, Bethenny Frankel was single and struggling to pay rent on her 750 foot apartment in New York. When she was on the Real Housewives of New York, she quickly became a sensation because she is relatable – she tells it like it is! Women across America reacted to Bethenny being herself and being honest. Now, Bethenny Frankel is a reality TV star, mother, three-time bestselling author of A Place of Yes: 10 Rules for Getting Everything You Want Out of Life, The Skinnygirl Dish: Easy Recipes for Your Naturally Thin Life, and Naturally Thin: Unleash Your SkinnyGirl and Free Yourself from a Lifetime of Dieting; entrepreneur, and, as of 11 AM this morning with the premiere of “Bethenny,” a talk-show host!

In 2011, Bethenny won a Glamour Women of the Year Award and was named one of the Top 100 Women in Entertainment by The Hollywood Reporter. She is a graduate of The Natural Gourmet Institute for Health and Culinary Arts. Bethenny lives in New York with husband Jason, daughter Bryn, and dog, Cookie.



Tune into “Bethenny” to hear her two-cents on everything from big butts to beauty solutions. She knows and is one of those women who don’t give into expensive beauty products, giving DIY beauty tips like using Miracle Whip as moisturizer or bananas on your pimples. This is why she created Skinnygirl Face & Body Solutions, the affordable, no-nonsense skincare collection that she created for women just like her all across America.

Get Bethenny’s look while you watch her self-proclaimed “Girl’s Night Out on daytime television” with a few of her favorite products from Skinnygirl Face & Body, such as, Plumping Lip Gloss, Conditioning Belly Butter, Vitamin C Face Scrub, Instantly Smooth Line Filler, Detox Face Mask, Tinted Daily Moisturizer SPF 15, and many more!

The giveaway will conclude on June 25th.

Barely Legal Neon Nail Polish from Revlon

Since it's illegal to produce neon nail polish in the United States (they're imported if you spot some in store), Revlon came up with a clever idea with their upcoming nail polish collection, which will launch in July. The Revlon Nail Art Neons Collection ($7.99 for each) will feature shades, such as Fuchsia Shock, Ultra Violet, Groovy Green, Electric Blue, Neon Light, High Voltage, and Hot Hue.

What makes this nail polish line legal in the U.S. is that the shades are actually sheer. However, when you apply two coats of the white base coat (featured on the bottom), they turn into a bright and beautiful shade of neon!

Novena Maternity Review

Novena Maternity is determined to provide women of childbearing years a worry free skincare line designed for pregnancy. Novena does not contain any of the possible harmful ingredients which could potentially affect the health of a developing baby. Whether you are pregnant, trying to conceive, or even one day planning on having a baby, Novena is the ideal choice for you and your miracle of life.

Novena has been featured in print publications, such as Pregnancy, OK Magazine, American Spa, Fit Pregnancy, and Pregnacy & Newborn. Novena Maternal Skin Care has become a favorite among celebrity Moms around the nation. Trista Sutter (the Bachelorette) loves Novena so much that she ordered 56 bottles of the Organic Fruit Face Wash ($28) for her Baby Shower as Shower Gifts for her guests. Molly Sims, Kimora Lee Simmons, Emily Deschanel, Maxine Bahns, Paz Vega, Molly Ringwald, Nicole Richie, Elizabeth Hasselbeck, and Mira Sorvino to name a few all have Novena!

I'm very cautious about what I apply on my face, because my skin has a tendency to break out easily. I have been plagued with "teenage skin" since the age of 10. Surprisingly, I haven't really experienced any skin issues during my pregnancy, especially during my first and second trimester. I like to think it's because of the glorious pregnancy hormones, but it's most likely due to the fact that I'm nearing my thirties. However, I did have a couple of mini breakouts recently, but they quickly went away since I've been using the Organic Citrus Blemish Lotion ($32). This product helps prevent and treat breakouts due to stress and hormonal changes. It also aids in healing existing ones.

During this pregnancy, I haven't experienced any issues with stretch marks. This is probably due to the fact that I've been using products, such as the Organic Beauty Belly Cream ($26) early on. The only stretch marks that I have are old, faded ones that I got as an overweight teen. While they're no longer an issue since they're barely noticeable, it be would be nice to find a product that will get rid of them altogether without having to get laser treatment. I can't vouch for others, so I can only tell you from my experience that it didn't remove old, existing stretch marks, it only prevented new ones. Perhaps, one will not be able to notice a difference with just one tube, unless they continuously buy and use this product, which could get a little pricey.

Disclosure: The product(s) in this review was provided to the reviewer for keeps and the purpose of writing a review. This in no way effects the quality of the review provided. No monetary exchange occurred in exchange for the writing of the review. The views expressed in this review are strictly that of the reviewer. All reviews provided here are the work of the reviewer and remain completely unbiased.

Budget Friendly Beauty Brushes

Sigma Beauty’s newest collection, the Sigmax Synthetic Collection, is the most innovative makeup brush line the company has developed. The brushes in the collection include the F80, F82 and F84. Also, new to the collection are the F86, P80, P82, P84 and P86, which were released October 2011.

These brushes contain a synthetic filament, exclusive to Sigma Beauty, which creates a high definition makeup application and a flawless finish. The Sigmax Synthetic Collection is just the beginning of many exciting product releases by Sigma by the end of the year. With the continuous global growth and constantly unique product line, Sigma is the beauty company of the future.



The Sigmax Synthetic Collection

1. The Synthetic Precision Kit ($49) contains four unique brushes, exclusive to Sigma. Designed to mimic the fingertips in application of products onto precise areas of the face, the Synthetic Precision Kit is absolutely Sigma’s most unique kit yet. The P80, P82, P84 and P86 are guaranteed to give you a flawless application in the most precise areas of your face.

2. The F86 Tapered Kabuki Brush ($16) is ideal for using powders and highlighter under the eye and cheek area. The dense and precise tip in this brush enhances cheek highlighting and contouring for a flawless application.

3. The Synthetic Kabuki Kit ($56) contains four face brushes for high definition, flawless makeup application. The brushes in this collection feature exclusive synthetic filament, specially designed to apply powder and liquid products without absorption into the fibers. The shape, density and height of the filaments were carefully engineered to perfectly buff products onto the skin, resulting in a high definition effect.

4. The Sigma Beauty F80 ($14) is a buffer brush that can be used to blend powder or liquid products.This exclusive flat top synthetic kabuki was designed to deliver a flawless makeup application. The short and dense bristles make it easy to buff your liquid foundation onto the skin. The long handle adds ease and comfort to your makeup application. The synthetic fibers are ideal to be used with liquid products and can be easily cleaned.